PM Narendra Modi has been at the forefront of strengthening India’s ties with Buddhist nations, placing Buddhism at the heart of India’s foreign policy.
His efforts aim to reinforce India’s role as a global center for Buddhism, promoting peace, harmony, and shared cultural values across the world.
PM Modi’s Visits To Buddhist Sites Globally
During his upcoming visit to Thailand, Prime Minister Modi will visit the Wat Pho Temple, famously known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.
PM Modi will also visit the Mahabodhi Temple in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
These visits reflect PM Modi’s commitment to deepening India’s cultural and spiritual ties with Buddhist nations.
In 2024, PM Modi gifted a vintage brass Buddha statue to Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith at the India-ASEAN Summit, symbolizing shared heritage and India’s dedication to cultural diplomacy.
In the same year, India sent sacred relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples to Thailand. The relics were displayed for 25 days across four cities in Thailand, strengthening the bond between India and Thailand through Buddhist heritage.
These relics included those of Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Maha Moggallana.
Strengthening Ties With Japan And Sri Lanka
PM Modi’s Buddhist outreach has been a central theme in his foreign visits.
In 2023, during a visit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, they visited the Bal Bodhi Tree at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi, reaffirming the deep Buddhist connection between India and Japan.
The same year, India also hosted the first-ever Global Buddhist Summit, bringing scholars and practitioners together to discuss contemporary challenges in Buddhism.
In 2017, PM Modi visited Sri Lanka for the International Vesak Day Celebrations, further cementing cultural and religious ties with Sri Lanka by visiting the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple.
Promoting Buddhist Diplomacy In Southeast Asia
PM Modi’s focus on Buddhism continued during his visit to Vietnam in 2016, where he toured the Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi.
His engagement with Buddhist monks there reflected India’s commitment to strengthening Buddhist diplomacy in Southeast Asia.
PM Modi’s dedication to Buddhism is not just limited to foreign relations.
In 2022, the Prime Minister visited Lumbini, Nepal, on Buddha Purnima and laid the foundation for the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage.
This landmark project aims to promote Buddhist culture and strengthen Indo-Nepal spiritual ties.
India sent four Holy Relics of Lord Buddha to Mongolia for an exposition during the Buddha Purnima celebrations.
India’s Buddhist Circuit And Infrastructure Development
Domestically, the government has taken significant steps to promote Buddhist heritage.
Under PM Modi’s leadership, the Buddhist Circuit was developed to trace significant sites associated with Lord Buddha’s life and teachings.
The Mahaparinirvan Express boosts pilgrimage tourism, offering an immersive tour of India and Nepal’s key Buddhist sites.
Kushinagar Airport boosts pilgrimage access, while Nalanda University restores India as a global Buddhist learning hub.
The government has also recognized Pali as a classical language, ensuring the preservation of Buddhist literature for future generations.
India’s Role as a Global Center for Buddhism
Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis on Buddhism reflects India’s commitment to cultural leadership and spiritual diplomacy.
His efforts to engage with Buddhist nations and revive India’s heritage strengthen its role as a global center for peace and wisdom.
Through these initiatives, PM Modi has shown that Buddhism can play a pivotal role in promoting global harmony and addressing contemporary challenges.
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