The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, had the honour of welcoming H.E. Mr. Geraldo Alckmin, who also serves as Brazil’s Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, during his official visit to India.
In his remarks, H.E. Mr. Geraldo Alckmin expressed deep appreciation for India’s leadership in promoting traditional and integrative health systems. He said, “Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old treasure of health and wisdom. I congratulate the All India Institute of Ayurveda for its wonderful work in promoting health, treating diseases, and advancing education and research through a holistic approach.” He further said, “The world needs Ayurveda’s timeless wisdom for preventive and sustainable healthcare.”
Acknowledging the global relevance of Ayurveda, he further remarked that, “Life expectancy is rising, and so is the demand for natural and preventive healthcare systems such as Ayurveda. If this were not a short visit, I would have surely taken the treatment for my back pain here at AIIA.”
He also thanked the Government of India and the AIIA team for the warm reception, stating,“I am grateful for the hospitality extended to me and my delegation in India and especially at AIIA.”
H.E. Mr. Geraldo Alckmin was accompanied by his spouse Ms. Maria Lucia Alckmin and a high-level delegation of 14 officials, including H.E. Mr. Kenneth Nobrega, Ambassador of Brazil to India, and H.E. Mr. Romison Rodrigues, Director of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA), along with other senior representatives.
H.E. Mr. Geraldo Alckmin, accompanied by his spouse Ms. Maria Lucia Alckmin and a high-level delegation of 14 officials—including H.E. Mr. Kenneth Nobrega, Ambassador of Brazil to India, and H.E. Mr. Romison Rodrigues, Director of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA)—was warmly received at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. The delegation was welcomed by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Prof. (Vaidya) Pradeep Kumar Prajapati, Director, AIIA, along with senior faculty and officers of the institute.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha highlighted the potential for enhanced collaboration between India and Brazil in traditional medicine, integrative health research, and the wellness industry. During the visit, the Vice President and his delegation were briefed on AIIA’s pioneering contributions to Ayurveda education, clinical services, and advanced research. They toured key facilities, including the Hospital Block, Academic and Research Wings, and the Centre for Integrative Health Sciences, engaging with faculty, researchers, and students.
A presentation was made to the visiting dignitaries, showcasing AIIA’s global initiatives, success stories, and ongoing collaborations in advancing evidence-based Ayurveda and integrative medicine. The visit reinforced the strong cooperation between India and Brazil through existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that facilitate academic exchange, joint research, and capacity building in traditional medicine.
AIIA maintains active research and academic collaborations with leading Brazilian institutions, formalized through three MoUs:
Between AIIA and Sri Vajera Foundation and Associated Institutions, Brazil
Between AIIA, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), and the Brazilian Academic Consortium for Integrative Health (CABSIN), Brazil (renewed for continued cooperation)
Between AIIA, Future Vision Institute, and the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
These collaborations focus on enhancing the quality, safety, and accessibility of traditional medicine practices, fostering scientific knowledge exchange, and safeguarding traditional medical heritage.
Both India and Brazil, endowed with rich biodiversity and traditional health practices, share a vision to develop sustainable healthcare models rooted in ancient wisdom and validated by modern science. The growing popularity of Ayurveda, Yoga, and other Indian traditional systems in Brazil reflects the increasing global acceptance of holistic and preventive healthcare approaches.