An inaugural event marking the 12th International Day of Yoga 2026 was held in the Turkmen resort city of Avaza. The Counsellor of the Embassy of India in Turkmenistan, Ganesh Haloi, addressed the attendees.

Speaking at the gathering, Haloi recalled that International Yoga Day is celebrated annually on June 21 around the world. The official theme for 2026, approved by the Ministry of Ayush of the Government of India, is "Yoga for Healthy Ageing." According to the diplomat, yoga promotes not only individual physical well-being but also contributes to world peace.

Ganesh Haloi noted that on December 11, 2014, the UN General Assembly proclaimed June 21 as International Yoga Day, recognizing yoga's holistic contribution to the health and well-being of people. Since then, the day has been celebrated across all continents by hundreds of millions of people of all ages.

In his address, the diplomat highlighted the role of the Yoga and Traditional Medicine Centre at the Bagtyyarlyk sports complex in Ashgabat, which was inaugurated in July 2015 during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Turkmenistan. He noted that since its opening, the centre has become one of the symbols of India-Turkmenistan cooperation and humanitarian ties between the two countries. The Embassy of India in Ashgabat annually organizes mass yoga events jointly with the Turkmen side and runs regular classes at the centre with the involvement of local instructors.

The diplomat expressed gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan for its continued support of the centre's activities and commended the country's policy of permanent neutrality.