RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3695
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2019
RELATIONSHIP WITH BUDDHIST COUNTRIES
3695. SHRI RAKESH SINHA:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the manner in which Government is planning to strengthen relationship with Buddhist countries;
(b) whether Government has started cultural centres in these countries;
(c) whether the Government is soliciting services of Buddhist monks to develop bond with India; and
(d) the steps taken by Government to attract students from the countries?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) Buddhism is practiced in many parts of the world including Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Japan and Republic of Korea. India has long standing historical ties with these countries.
The Government will continue to engage proactively with these countries through high level visits, development partnerships, cultural cooperation and people-to-people contacts. The number of citizens/tourists from these countries visiting Buddhist holy places
in India has been growing rapidly over the years. India is partnering in conservation and preservation of important archaeological, religious and cultural heritage monuments/sites in many of these countries.
(b) Indian Cultural Centres have been established in most of the above mentioned countries. Chair of Indian Studies have also been set in several universities of many of these countries.
(c) Conferences and seminars on Buddhist themes organised in India have been attended in large numbers by scholars, monks and Indologists from these countries. The six International Buddhist Enclaves organised so far in India have witnessed large participation
from these countries.
(d) Government of India offers scholarships to students from these countries to study in various educational institutions in India, including courses in Buddhist history and literature.
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