Jaishankar joins Diplomatic Corps for Yoga Day 2025 in New Delhi
Synopsis
India's top diplomat took to the yoga mat with foreign envoys in New Delhi as the 12th International Day of Yoga unfolded across the country. With Norway's ambassador joining in and PM Modi leading thousands at Kolkata's Red Road, this year's 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing' theme signals a deliberate pivot — using a wellness event to reinforce India's soft-power standing on the global stage.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar performed yoga with the Diplomatic Corps in New Delhi on 21 June 2025 .
Norway's Ambassador May Elin-Stener participated and shared a video message on X , thanking India for 'this beautiful gift.' The 12th International Day of Yoga carries the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing' , endorsed by the WHO for its benefits across all age groups.
PM Narendra Modi led national celebrations from Kolkata's Red Road , urging citizens to adopt yoga year-round via the Yoga 365 initiative.
The UN proclaimed 21 June as International Yoga Day in 2014 after 175 member states co-sponsored India's proposal.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar joined members of the Diplomatic Corps in New Delhi on 21 June 2025 to mark the 12th International Day of Yoga, performing yoga alongside foreign envoys and senior officials in a display of India's continued global outreach through the ancient practice.
What Jaishankar Said
In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote: 'Joined the Diplomatic Corps at New Delhi to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. As PM Narendra Modi highlighted, we must strive to make yoga a part of our lives, part of our families, and a part of our coming generations.' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was also present at the event.
Norway's Ambassador Joins In
Norway's Ambassador to India, May Elin-Stener, participated in the session and shared a video message on X extending greetings. 'Happy Yoga Day from Norway to India. This is a day that celebrates health, well-being and balance. Which is your favorite asana?' she posted. In a separate message, she thanked the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Jaishankar for 'sharing this beautiful gift from India with us today.' The participation of a European envoy underscores how International Yoga Day has evolved from a diplomatic proposal into a genuinely global observance.
This Year's Theme: Yoga for Healthy Ageing
The 2025 edition carries the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', spotlighting the practice's relevance across all life stages. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), yoga supports balance, flexibility, strength, and mobility while also aiding mental well-being and stress management — capacities that become increasingly vital as people age. The theme aligns with global demographic trends, as populations across Asia and Europe grow older.
Modi Leads National Celebrations from Kolkata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national-level celebrations from Kolkata's Red Road, addressing thousands of participants. 'Let us take a pledge that we will not limit yoga to just one day, we will not limit yoga to just one program; we will make yoga a part of our life,' Modi said. He also referenced the Yoga 365 initiative, aimed at embedding the practice into daily routines year-round, and invoked the Sanskrit verse 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah' — 'may all be happy and may all be free from illness.' On healthy ageing specifically, Modi remarked: 'Our target must be to be more flexible at 40 than we were at 20.'
A Decade of Global Recognition
The United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, following a proposal by Modi during his address at the opening of the 69th UN General Assembly. The resolution was endorsed by 175 member states — one of the broadest co-sponsorships in UN history. Now in its twelfth year, the day has grown from a diplomatic initiative into a mass public health event observed across continents. The New Delhi Diplomatic Corps session, bringing together India's top diplomat and foreign envoys on the same mat, reflects how yoga has become a soft-power instrument as much as a wellness practice.
Point of View
Rural populations who stand to gain most from the 'Healthy Ageing' theme — remains the harder, less photographable question.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did EAM Jaishankar do on International Day of Yoga 2025?
EAM S. Jaishankar joined the Diplomatic Corps in New Delhi on 21 June 2025 to perform yoga, marking the 12th International Day of Yoga. He shared the occasion on X, echoing PM Modi's call to make yoga a lifelong practice.
What is the theme of International Day of Yoga 2025?
The theme for the 12th International Day of Yoga is 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing.' It highlights how yoga supports balance, flexibility, strength, and mental well-being — capacities the WHO identifies as critical for active, independent living in later years.
Where did PM Modi lead the Yoga Day 2025 celebrations?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebrations from Kolkata's Red Road on 21 June 2025, addressing thousands of participants. He urged citizens to embrace yoga daily through the Yoga 365 initiative, rather than limiting it to a single annual event.
How did International Day of Yoga come about?
The United Nations proclaimed 21 June as International Day of Yoga in 2014, following a proposal by PM Modi at the 69th UN General Assembly session. The resolution was co-sponsored by 175 member states, making it one of the broadest endorsements in UN history.
Why did Norway's Ambassador participate in India's Yoga Day event?
Norway's Ambassador to India, May Elin-Stener, joined the New Delhi session and posted a video message on X extending greetings from Norway to India. She thanked the MEA and Jaishankar for 'sharing this beautiful gift from India,' reflecting the event's growing diplomatic and cultural resonance beyond India's borders.
