Diplomacy / Modi's visit to Nepal will make relations stronger, PM Modi will be in Lumbini on May 16

During his visit to Nepal, PM Narendra Modi will be in Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, on Buddha Purnima on 16 May. This visit, being held at the invitation of Nepal's PM Sher Bahadur Deuba, will be an attempt to encourage the gentle power of India. This visit is also seen as an opportunity to give new energy and strength to Nepal-India relations through Gautam Buddha.

Earlier, Modi had launched the Kushinagar International Airport in October 2021, which proved to be a convenience not only for regional citizens, but also for foreign Buddhist pilgrims. From here it was easy to go to the Mahaparinirvana temple of Buddha, then there the Buddha-circuit also started developing.

 

It is helping to strengthen India's ties not only with Nepal, but also with many countries associated with Buddhism. International affairs experts and many organizations believe that India can increase its influence significantly through the various sites associated with Gautam Buddha present here.

Economic Forum gave three reasons

According to the World Economic Forum's Geo Strategy Platform, India may have fewer followers of Buddhism, but all its heritage is present here. India can claim Buddha-diplomacy through them. There are three important reasons for this

1. Buddhism originated in India, this fact gives India the greatest legitimacy on the historical heritage of Buddhism
2. There are innumerable sites associated with Buddhism like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Nalanda in India.
3. India shelters the Dalai Lama, the largest leader of Buddhist exiles from Tibet, in Dharamsala, giving him the image of a custodian of Buddhism

Can affect many countries of Asia

Among the oldest Buddhist ideas are the historical links of India with Theravada. On the strength of this, India can become a bridge for dialogue between many sects of this religion. This can be benefitted in the policies of the government like Neighbor-First, Look-East and Act East. Buddhism is popular in most of the countries located here. Among them, India can increase its influence through Buddhist culture.

A Day to the Buddha Temple

PM Modi always gave importance to Gautam Buddha from his statements to diplomatic foreign trips. He always referred to these shared cultural roots in his speeches in countries under the influence of Buddhism, including Sri Lanka, China, etc. Whenever possible while traveling in these countries, they always reserve a day to visit Buddhist temples.