CG Pratik Mathur Presents PM Modi’s Letter to Chinese Scholar Promoting Yoga and Indian Culture

Shanghai— In a gesture symbolizing growing cultural ties between India and China, the Consul General of India in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur,  presented a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Professor Wang Zhicheng of Zhejiang University. The letter recognizes Prof. Wang’s remarkable contributions to the promotion of yoga and Indian cultural traditions in China.

The ceremony, held at the Zhejiang University campus in Hangzhou, comes as India and China mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. In his letter, Prime Minister Modi praised Prof. Wang for his commitment to deepening understanding of Indian philosophical thought, especially through his work on yoga and Vedanta.

A respected academic and chief editor of the “Yoga Library” book series, Prof. Wang has translated key Indian texts including the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, delivering over a hundred virtual lectures that have garnered widespread appreciation. Notably, during PM Modi’s visit to Hangzhou for the 2016 G20 Summit, Prof. Wang personally presented his translation of the Bhagavad Gita to the Prime Minister.

Prof. Wang’s efforts have played a pivotal role in making yoga a widely embraced practice in China. Cities across Zhejiang Province—including Hangzhou, Wuyi, and Jiaxing—have hosted large-scale yoga events, reflecting its integration into daily life and its harmony with traditional Chinese disciplines like Tai Chi.

Consul General Mathur applauded Prof. Wang’s “unstinting efforts” and highlighted how yoga has become a powerful bridge for cultural diplomacy. “Prof. Wang’s contributions exemplify the shared aspirations of India and China to connect through our rich histories and traditions,” he said.

The Consulate General of India in Shanghai reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cultural ties, with the upcoming 10th International Day of Yoga celebrations in June expected to further bolster this bond.

Prof. Wang’s continued work underscores a growing resonance of Indian philosophy among Chinese youth and serves as a testament to the enduring power of cultural exchange.