CHENNAI – 12 Nov, 2026 India Strengthens Regional Health Partnerships as First BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting Unanimously Adopts Joint Ministerial Statement in Colombo.
In a major step towards strengthening regional health cooperation, the First BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, today unanimously adopted a Joint Ministerial Statement, reaffirming the collective commitment of member countries to advancing accessible, affordable and quality healthcare, strengthening regional health security and building resilient public health systems across the Bay of Bengal region.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Jagat Prakash Nadda, represented India at the historic meeting, highlighting the country's growing role in advancing regional health cooperation through knowledge-sharing, digital innovation, capacity building and collaborative action on common public health challenges.
The meeting also adopted the Revised BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Public Health (2026–2030), providing a structured roadmap for cooperation in disease surveillance, pandemic preparedness, digital health, traditional medicine, One Health and healthcare workforce development.