Ali Jafarian, a senior advisor to the health minister, in separate meetings with Anupriya Patel, India’s Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, and Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia’s Health Minister, has explored avenues to enhance cooperation in the health sector.

The officials met on Saturday, on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Health Ministerial Meeting, held in Chandigarh, India, from July 21 to 25.

Referring to the history of collaborations between Iran and India, technology transfer, and India’s pharmaceutical, raw material, and vaccine supply chain for Iran, the officials highlighted the need to facilitate the process and prevent any disruption in the cycle, IRNA reported.

Indian official welcomed the idea and committed to expedite the procedures in the health ministry and negotiate with other relevant authorities.

They also discussed manufacturing plasma-derived medicinal plants, and the potential for the expansion of cooperation with India as the new strategic partner of the country in this sector.

The promotion of cooperation in traditional medicine, and the education of Indian students in Iran in medical fields—particularly medicine and the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program were among other issues discussed at the meeting.

The Indian side lauded the high quality of education in Iran and its successful reflection in the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE).

On July 21, Iranian and Indian officials agreed to enhance collaborations between the two countries in traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine.