Policy Update
Aditi Singh Kaushik
Background:
In his maiden address to the United Nations General Assembly (September 2014), Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to Yoga as “harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being.” He further stated that Yoga is an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition, and that it embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment.
These excerpts of the Prime Minister’s speech were part of a broader proposal formed by India to designate June 21st as the International Day of Yoga. In December 2014, the United Nations officially recognised June 21st as International Day of Yoga, with 177 member nations co-sponsoring the resolution. The first International Day of Yoga (2015) was observed worldwide, including the UN Headquarters in New York, which saw a huge yoga session graced by UN officials and diplomats.
India’s strong endorsement of Yoga as a ‘ubiquitous cultural export’ did not emerge overnight. Rather, it stems from the country’s century-long association with this revered practice. The foundations of Yoga can be traced back to Vedic and pre-Vedic era, with its mention in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which classify the elements of Yoga into eight limbs.
These eight limbs are – Yamas (ethical restraints), Niyamas (personal observances), Asana (physical postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), Samadhi (absorption or enlightenment). Although associated with ancient India, Yoga’s dissemination beyond the subcontinent can be traced to the beginning of the 19th nineteenth century.
In his 1893 speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions (Chicago), Swami Vivekananda introduced the concepts of Raja Yoga to an enchanted crowd of western spectators. Later, other spiritual leaders like Paramhansa Yogananda played a pivotal role in promoting the ancient practice through training, compositions, and establishing Yoga centres in different parts of the world. Locating Yoga in the context of ancient and modern history, therefore, provides us with an explanation of how the practice gradually became a vital part of India’s cultural diplomacy. The overseas dissemination of Yoga has helped India institutionalise it as an instrument of soft power, thereby giving rise to what we know as Yoga Diplomacy.
Institutionalization of the Ancient Practice:
Otto (2025) asserts that India’s association with soft power and its institutionalization has been obtained by default within the liberal international order, owing to a long record of democratic traditions, and legacy of the likes of Mahatma Gandhi whose association with the principle of Ahimsa developed independent of government policy. Similarly, Yoga has been termed as a malleable tool that makes it possible to morph “into almost anything…and yet still be part of an ancient, monolithic tradition.” The cultural inclusiveness of Yoga has paved the way for alternative interpretations of the practice. In the US, for instance, the health value and ‘mysterious character’ of Yoga is often sold to local consumers and practitioners.
Central Themes of Yoga Diplomacy:
One of the central themes in India’s deployment of Yoga Diplomacy is its utilization as a tool of cultural exchange – evident via the celebration of International Day of Yoga at the Indian embassy in the United States of America. In 2024, the consulate of India – San Francisco, organized an event as part of the 10th International Yoga Day celebrations.
This event attracted the participation of esteemed organizations, such as the Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Yoga Bharti, and the Bihar School of Yoga. Such events are often organised in other places around the United States, like the National Mall in Washington D.C., which draws an influx of people from various walks of life – diplomats, local authorities, yoga practitioners to name a few. Local yoga associations, such as the Yoga Teacher Alliance and other community level Yoga workshops spread in different corners of the world, also play an irreplaceable role in spreading the ethos of Yoga Diplomacy.
Amidst its ever-growing popularity, the Ministry of AYUSH routinely collaborates with yoga institutions to promote the standardization of Yoga practices via a certification board. The Ministry also works with global health institutions to integrate the practice into public health programs by signing Memorandum of Understanding with several countries.
Additionally, the Indian embassy in the United States plays a crucial role in institutionalizing Yoga as India’s soft power instrument. It does so by establishing crucial links with the country’s diaspora, and turning them into strategic resources. For instance, Tang (2020) suggests that in lieu of the International Yoga Day celebrations in the US, the embassy of India “actively contacts local Indian overseas organizations and encourages them to participate in the preparation of the event.” The author also views the mobilization of the diaspora community as a means to promote the domestic economic development of India and sponsorship for the ‘electioneering of Indian politicians.’
The Perils of Commercialization:
Yoga has become an essential component of the wellness industry functioning in the United States. The massive commercialisation of the practice is evident by a survey conducted by Yoga Alliance, the largest non-profit association representing the yoga community in the States. The survey estimated that 38.4 million Americans practiced yoga in 2022, up from 36.7 million in 2016, spending more than $21 billion on the practice (+ 5 percent since 2016). In India, Rishikesh serves as a popular destination for Yoga tourism, along with other cities like Varanasi and Mysore which also draw Yoga tourists.
Additionally, yoga schools in the coastal state of Goa have drawn a large number of students. In light of these statistics, it should come as no surprise that global wellness tourism was valued at US$814.6 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow by 12% annually until 2030. (Otto, 2025)
Outside of India, the perils of Yoga’s commodification can also be witnessed. The threat of its authenticity being diluted through cultural appropriation has gained attention over the years. Some assert that the cultural appropriation of Yoga by teachers from western countries, like the United States, has involved the cultural practice “divorcing asana from the other seven limbs of yoga”, and re-linking it to other systems of meaning. Such appropriation has compromised the philosophical dynamics of Yoga.
In light of these challenges, India’s Yoga Diplomacy must work towards promoting its Indian origins, integrating its health value with traditional Indian philosophy, then selling it to local people and yoga practitioners in countries like the United States, where Yoga is revered as a ‘wellness’ practice. Such steps will bring credibility for India’s Yoga Diplomacy and new financial opportunities for Domestic Yoga tourism and the Yoga Industry as well.
References:
- Tang, S. & Centre of South Asian Studies, University of Cambridge. (2020). Mobilization mechanisms behind India’s yoga diplomacy: organization, identity and ritual [Journal-article].
https://www.clausiuspress.com/conferences/AETP/ICEIPI%202020/65.pdf
About the Contributor:
Aditi Singh Kaushik is a Research Intern at IMPRI. She holds a master’s degree in political science from Banaras Hindu University. Her research interest lies in understanding the evolving roles of traditional and organic intellectuals in post-colonial countries, within a Gramscian framework.
Acknowledgement:
The author sincerely thanks Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja and the IMPRI team for their valuable support.
Disclaimer:
All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organization.
Read more on IMPRI:
Sovereign Firms vs. Sovereign State: India’s Blueprint for Digital Diplomacy
Asia’s Rising Soft Power: Influence, Identity & International Impact
