Buddhism in India’s Foreign Policy: PM Modi’s Vision for Global Harmony

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is revitalizing Buddhism’s role in India’s foreign policy through various initiatives. Key milestones include sending sacred relics to Thailand and Mongolia, reinforcing ties with Japan, and establishing the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Nepal. The establishment of the Buddhist Circuit and Nalanda University’s revival further enhance India’s position in promoting global peace and wisdom through Buddhist teachings.

Buddhism plays a pivotal role in India’s foreign policy, particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, aimed at fostering global harmony. In a significant cultural exchange, India sent sacred relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples to Thailand, where they were displayed for 25 days across multiple cities.

In 2023, a notable event occurred when PM Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the Bal Bodhi Tree at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi, which emphasized the strong ties between India and Japan rooted in Buddhism. Equally noteworthy was India’s hosting of the inaugural Global Buddhist Summit, a platform bringing scholars and practitioners together to address contemporary issues through Buddhist philosophy, where Modi reiterated that Buddha’s teachings hold solutions for global challenges.

Additionally, in 2022, PM Modi commemorated Buddha Purnima with a visit to Lumbini, Nepal, where he laid the foundation for the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage, a project aimed at enhancing cultural and spiritual connections with Nepal. Furthermore, India sent four Holy Relics of Lord Buddha, known as the Kapilavastu Relics, to Mongolia during their Buddha Purnima celebrations. Prime Minister Modi’s historical engagement with Buddhism includes his 2018 visit to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Singapore.

In previous years, Modi’s visits also included significant stops such as addressing the International Vesak Day Celebrations in Sri Lanka in 2017, where he visited the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple. His 2016 visit to Vietnam featured a tour of the Quan Su Pagoda, while in 2015, he engaged with Buddhist history at the Da Xingshan Temple and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in China. Modi has consistently emphasized the shared spiritual heritage between India and these nations during his visits.

The establishment of the Buddhist Circuit, which highlights key locations in the life of Lord Buddha, has also been monumental under Modi’s leadership, promoting pilgrimage tourism. The Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train (Mahaparinirvan Express) offers an enhanced pilgrimage experience across sacred sites in India and Nepal, complemented by the opening of Kushinagar International Airport, which improves access for pilgrims. Additionally, the revival of Nalanda University as a global center for Buddhist learning and the recognition of Pali as a classical language supports the preservation of Buddhist literature.

Through these initiatives, PM Modi is not only strengthening India’s connections with Buddhist nations but also reinforcing India’s status as a global hub for peace and wisdom, rooted in Buddhist doctrine.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Buddhist diplomacy reflects India’s commitment to promoting peace and harmony through cultural exchanges and collaborations with various Buddhist nations. The various initiatives, such as sending sacred relics, establishing educational centers, and facilitating pilgrimage tourism, illustrate a sophisticated approach to reinforce India’s historical and spiritual connections with the Buddhist community worldwide.

Original Source: m.economictimes.com