Permanent Mission of India
New York
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International Tea Day 2026: Tea for Wellness

Statement by Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni
21 May 2026

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure for me to welcome you all to this commemoration of International Tea Day on the theme “Tea for Wellness.”

Friends,

Tea is among the world’s most widely consumed beverages, but it is much more than that. Across cultures, it represents tradition, hospitality, connection, and well-being.  And let me add, tea is associated with human connections, with dialogue.  We are all in the business of diplomacy.  So the natural drink that goes with our business is of course Tea or Chai.

In India, tea is deeply woven into daily life. Across homes, workplaces, markets, and public spaces, sharing a cup of tea creates moments of pause, conversation, and community.

India’s most familiar tea tradition is a masala chai, a fragrant blend of black tea with spices such as ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. Beyond its cultural familiarity, this tradition reflects a deeper understanding of wellness, with many of these ingredients long valued in Indian knowledge systems for their restorative and digestive properties.

Tea in India is also closely linked to Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest holistic systems of health and well-being, which emphasizes prevention, balance, and harmony between body and mind. Herbal infusions using tulsi, turmeric, lemongrass, fennel, and ashwagandha have long been part of India’s wellness traditions.

Our tea culture continues to evolve. Moringa infusions, rooted in traditional Indian wellness practices, are increasingly appreciated for their nutritional benefits, while hibiscus teas are gaining popularity as refreshing herbal wellness beverages.

But India’s tea story is not only about health, it is also about livelihoods.

As one of the world’s largest tea producers, India’s tea sector supports millions of livelihoods, including plantation workers, small growers, processors, and entrepreneurs. Tea contributes significantly to rural economies and women’s employment and incomes.

This reminds us that wellness must also include the well-being of the communities that sustain global tea value chains.

Across cultures represented here today amongst us, we see diverse expressions of wellness traditions and we look forward to hearing about them from our distinguished panel of speakers.

These diverse traditions remind us that wellness is deeply shaped by culture, community, and traditional knowledge.

In today’s fast-paced world, tea offers something quietly valuable: mindfulness, connection, and a return to balance.

At the same time, we must ensure that tea production remains environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially inclusive, particularly for smallholder producers and women.

In this regard, we appreciate the important role of the Food and Agriculture Organization in highlighting tea’s contribution to sustainable development and rural livelihoods.

As we mark this day, let us reflect on how something as simple as tea can connect conversations on health, culture, sustainability, and human well-being.

India is pleased to convene this discussion and looks forward to the rich exchange of perspectives this afternoon.

Thank you for your presence.

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