Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, yoga has transcended its ancient roots to become one of India’s most potent instruments of soft power, fostering global goodwill, igniting interest in Indian culture and spirituality, and uniting millions across borders. Since 2014, Modi’s unwavering advocacy for yoga has transformed it into a universal practice, celebrated worldwide as a pathway to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Through initiatives like the establishment of International Yoga Day, the creation of the Ministry of AYUSH, and high-profile events such as the 2023 United Nations Yoga Day celebration, PM Modi has positioned yoga as a cultural ambassador, showcasing India as a benign, inclusive, and well-intentioned global player.

Yoga, derived from the Sanskrit word “yuj", meaning to unite, embodies the harmony of mind, body, and spirit—a philosophy rooted in India’s ancient civilisation. While yoga has long been a global practice, PM Modi’s leadership has given it unprecedented visibility, transforming it into a tool of public diplomacy.

In his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly, PM Modi proposed June 21 as International Yoga Day, a resolution that garnered overwhelming support from 177 nations and was unanimously adopted on December 11, 2014. This historic move, backed by spiritual leaders like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who noted that state patronage was essential for yoga’s survival, marked the beginning of yoga’s journey as a global cultural phenomenon. PM Modi’s vision framed yoga........

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