The 3rd International Ayurveda Conference, jointly organised by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) and Conayur in São Paulo, concluded on Saturday after two days of discussions focused on strengthening India-Brazil cooperation in traditional medicine. The event, held from November 14-15 under the aegis of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), also marked four decades of Ayurveda’s presence in Brazil.
The conference, themed “Diversity and Inclusion in Ayurveda: Caring for Everybody and Every Being,” brought together experts, practitioners, academics and students from across Latin America and India. Sessions explored ancestral knowledge systems, regulation of Ayurveda in Brazil and the evolving global role of traditional medicine.
Ambassador of India to Brazil Dinesh Bhatia inaugurated the event, highlighting the expanding collaboration between the two countries in the field of holistic healthcare. He said Ayurveda’s global relevance is being strengthened through scientific research and international engagement, which will be further showcased at the upcoming WHO-Ministry of Ayush Global Summit on Traditional Medicine scheduled in New Delhi from December 17-19.
Bhatia noted Brazil’s status as the first South American nation to officially recognise Ayurveda and described the recent visit of Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin to the All India Institute of Ayurveda in New Delhi as a milestone in bilateral cooperation. He also acknowledged SVCC’s sustained efforts in promoting Ayurveda and Indian culture.
Delivering the keynote address, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush Dr. (Vaidya) Rajesh Kotecha said Ayurveda embodies inclusivity, compassion and harmony between the body, mind and environment. He underlined the growing India–Brazil partnership, supported by a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries’ health ministries and collaborations between Indian and Brazilian academic institutions.
Kotecha praised the teachers and practitioners who have nurtured Ayurveda in Brazil over the last 40 years and reiterated India’s commitment to expanding evidence-based traditional medicine under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
SVCC Director Dr. Jyoti Kiran Shukla spoke about the shared heritage of wellness traditions between the two countries and the Centre’s role in strengthening cultural and academic ties.
A significant highlight of the conference was the announcement that Ayurveda has now been included in the Brazilian Classification of Occupations, a major step towards formal recognition of the discipline.
Consul General of India in São Paulo Hansraj Singh Verma emphasised the importance of India–Brazil collaboration in promoting natural and preventive healthcare.
The programme featured a series of lectures and panel discussions, including talks by Paulo Bastos Gonçalves, Vanessa Santetti and Dr. Rita Beatriz Tocantins. The conference concluded with a roundtable discussion on “The Future of Ayurveda in Brazil: Building the Next 40 Years.”