Yoga and Ayurveda Becoming New Pillars of India-Germany Partnership: Ambassador Ajit Gupte
Historic Yoga, Ayurveda Session Held in German Parliament, India Envoy Highlights Growing India-Germany Wellness Partnership
GG News Bureau
Berlin: In a first-of-its-kind initiative at the German Parliament (Bundestag), India’s Ambassador to Germany, Ajit Gupte, IFS, delivered a keynote address on “Chair Yoga and Ayurveda”, highlighting the growing role of India’s traditional wellness systems in strengthening India-Germany relations.
The historic programme, held on July 6 at the Bundestag, was chaired by Henri Schmidt, Member of the German Parliament (Bundestag) and Deputy Chairman of the German-Indian Parliamentary Group. The event was organised by the Indian in Germany Society, led by Rakesh Veauli, who coordinated and conducted the programme, bringing together parliamentarians, healthcare experts, yoga practitioners and members of the Indian diaspora.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Gupte said yoga has become an integral part of the lives of many Germans and has gained recognition as a holistic approach to health and preventive wellness. Referring to the recent International Day of Yoga celebrations across Germany, he noted that the Embassy of India, along with its Consulates, organised more than 40 yoga sessions under themes such as “Yoga by the Castle” and “Yoga in the Alps”, reflecting yoga’s growing popularity.
The Ambassador described Chair Yoga as an innovative way of integrating yoga into offices and workplaces, helping reduce stress, improve productivity and promote healthy lifestyles.
Highlighting the global acceptance of Ayurveda, Gupte noted that nearly 90 per cent of WHO member countries now recognise some form of traditional medicine. He referred to the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar as a landmark initiative backed by India with an investment of 250 million US dollars.
He also underlined the long-standing academic and medical cooperation between India and Germany in Ayurveda. The Ambassador said institutions such as the Rosenberg European Academy of Ayurveda, founded in 1993, and the German Medical Doctors’ Association for Ayurvedic Medicine, established in 2011, have played an important role in promoting Ayurveda in Germany. He also highlighted the growing collaboration between India’s Ministry of Ayush and German health institutions, including discussions held during the 3rd Joint Working Group Meeting on Alternative Medicine in Berlin in November 2025.
Calling Ayurveda a science rooted in holistic and sustainable wellness, Gupte said India and Germany are entering a new phase of cooperation where wellness, research and preventive healthcare are becoming important pillars of the bilateral strategic partnership.
The Ambassador also recalled that 2026 marks 75 years of India-Germany diplomatic relations and 25 years of the Strategic Partnership, noting that the Ayurveda economy is expanding rapidly while public interest in preventive healthcare continues to grow across Germany.
The programme began with Vedic chanting, setting a traditional and spiritual tone for the event. Following Ambassador Gupte’s address and the remarks by Bundestag member Henri Schmidt, the programme featured expert presentations and practical demonstrations on Chair Yoga and Ayurveda.
Ayurveda expert Sanjay Tambe delivered a comprehensive presentation highlighting the significance of Ayurveda and naturopathy, explaining their role in holistic healthcare and preventive medicine. Eminent Yoga Vidya Guru Sukhdev Ji, from Germany, addressed the gathering on the transformative role of yoga in promoting physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Yoga Guru Rajesh Mishra conducted a Chair Yoga discourse and practical session, while Shraddha Mishra, Editor-in-Chief of Indian German Spectrum magazine, also shared her insights.
Among the distinguished participants was Sushil Doklam, a noted Chartered Accountant and social worker from London, who attended and participated in the event. Other prominent attendees included Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat, CMD, MATV Group, London, and Convenor, OFBJP Europe, and Dr. Kumar Rakesh, senior journalist and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Panchgavya Vidyapeetham, Gurukul University, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.
The programme, organised and conducted by Rakesh Veauli of the Indian in Germany Society, concluded on a highly successful note, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for yoga and Ayurveda in Germany and reinforcing their role as important bridges in India-Germany cultural and wellness cooperation.
