diff --git a/torchtext/utils.py b/torchtext/utils.py
index a7910b222f..0fe7c81fd8 100644
--- a/torchtext/utils.py
+++ b/torchtext/utils.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 import zipfile
 
 import torch
+from iopath.common.file_io import PathManager
 from torchtext import _CACHE_DIR
 
 from ._download_hooks import _DATASET_DOWNLOAD_MANAGER
@@ -228,3 +229,16 @@ def get_asset_local_path(asset_path: str, overwite=False) -> str:
     else:
         local_path = download_from_url(url=asset_path, root=_CACHE_DIR, overwrite=overwite)
     return local_path
+
+
+PATH_MANAGER = PathManager()
+'''
+We use iopath to handle local files, remote files with http/https urls, etc.
+This global instance is registered with all the required handlers with the best
+defaults. Learn more about iopath: https://github.com/facebookresearch/iopath
+
+Examples:
+    >>> from torchtext.utils import PATH_MANAGER
+    >>> with PATH_MANAGER.open(FILE_PATH) as f:
+    >>>     f.read()
+'''