India Emerges as Global Platform for Buddhist Dialogue under PM Modi: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Highlighting India’s global leadership in promoting Buddhist dialogue, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, noted that since Shri Narendra Modi assumed office as Prime Minister, India has taken proactive responsibility in providing an international platform for Buddhist monks, gurus, scholars, and thinkers, reinforcing the nation’s enduring commitment to peace and harmony. He made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the Second Global Buddhist Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 24 January 2026.

“Under Gyan Bharatam, the Government of India is undertaking one of the world’s largest initiatives for the digitisation of ancient manuscripts,” the Minister stated, emphasising that this landmark effort reflects India’s commitment to preserving and sharing its vast civilisational and spiritual knowledge with the world.

Shri Shekhawat encouraged delegates and citizens to visit the grand international exhibition “The Light & The Lotus: Relics of The Awakened One”, currently on display at the Rai Pithora Cultural Centre, New Delhi, and pay reverence to Bhagwan Buddha. Recalling the Piprahwa Relics, repatriated to India after 127 years, he described them as living symbols of India’s ancient civilisation and timeless spiritual legacy.

The two-day Second Global Buddhist Summit was organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 24–25 January 2026. The Summit was attended by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, along with senior dignitaries, monks, scholars, and international delegates.

Held on the theme “Collective Wisdom, United Voice, and Mutual Coexistence”, the conference witnessed participation from nearly 200 international representatives from across the world, including leaders of major Buddhist organisations, eminent monks, scholars, and followers of the Dhamma. The Summit provided a common platform for dialogue on contemporary and future global challenges from a Buddhist perspective.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, remarked that Buddha Dharma is not only for those who identify as Buddhists, but for everyone, underlining its inclusive and universal appeal. He stated that as global seekers increasingly turn to the Dhamma, India bears a special responsibility to preserve, share, and live its principles of compassion, non-violence, harmony, and coexistence.

The Second Global Buddhist Summit reaffirmed India’s role as the land of the Buddha and as a global torchbearer of collective wisdom, peaceful coexistence, and mutual understanding.