India&rsquo;s free trade agreement with Oman has, for the first time, included the country&rsquo;s traditional medicine systems, opening up significant market access for Ayush products in the Gulf nation. The move is being seen as a major boost for India&rsquo;s wellness and traditional healthcare sectors.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed on Thursday, marks the first instance where India&rsquo;s traditional medicines have been formally included in an international trade pact. A dedicated annexe in the agreement recognises trade in health-related and traditional medicine services.
According to an official statement, Oman has made a comprehensive commitment to traditional medicine across all modes of supply. This unprecedented step is expected to create new opportunities for India&rsquo;s Ayush sector to expand its footprint in the Gulf region and showcase the strength of its wellness ecosystem.
The agreement provides a framework for cooperation in key areas such as licensing and qualification procedures, digital conduct of licensing examinations, facilitation of medical value travel, capacity building, harmonisation of standards, and joint research in traditional medicine.
The Ministry of Ayush has been actively working to promote Indian systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy, at the global level. As part of this effort, the ministry has launched a central sector scheme to encourage international cooperation in Ayush.
Under this scheme, support is extended to Indian manufacturers and service providers to enhance exports, promote global recognition of Ayush systems, and strengthen academic collaboration and research.
India&rsquo;s Ayush exports have shown steady growth over the years, increasing from USD 1.09 billion in 2014 to USD 1.54 billion in 2020, reflecting rising global demand for traditional and wellness-based healthcare solutions.

India’s traditional medicines get market access under landmark Oman pact

India–Oman FTA Boosts Ayush, Traditional Medicine

India’s traditional medicines get market access under landmark Oman pact

December 18, 2025 | 22:19 IST