On Nepal visit, Modi says ties benefit new order

India and Nepal’s everstrengthening friendship...will benefit the entire humanity in the kind of global conditions that are emerging NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed India’s ties with Nepal, adding that relationship between the two neighbouring countries is as unshakable as the Himalayas.

At the invitation of his counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba, Modi was on a day-long visit to Lumbini — the birthplace of Lord Buddha — on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. This was Modi’s fifth visit to Nepal as Prime Minister, and his first to Lumbini.

At the holy city, the two Prime Ministers laid the foundation stone for the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage.

After the ceremony, Modi and Deuba, along with the latter’s wife Dr Arzu Rana Deuba and several Nepalese ministers attended the 2566th Buddha Jayanti celebrations at the International Convention Center and Meditation Hall at Lumbini.

Addressing the International Buddhist Conference, Modi said, “India and Nepal’s everstrengthening friendship and our closeness will benefit the entire humanity in the kind of global conditions that are emerging.”

In his 20-minute speech, Modi said that India and Nepal relations are unshakeable like the Himalayas and added that both the countries will work towards solving global problems with Buddha’s ideologies. “Buddha is the embodiment of the collective understanding of humanity,” the Prime Minister said.

Addressing the conference, Deuba said Nepal greatly values India’s cooperation in the development of infrastructure, connectivity, hydro-electricity, agriculture, human resources as well as post-earthquake reconstruction and restoration of cul

tural heritage sites.

“As this year marks the 75th year of formalisation of diplomatic relations between Nepal and India, we look forward to strengthening our relations based on mutual respect and understanding,” he said.

Earlier, Modi said the upcoming India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage will be an important hub for learning and cultural exchanges between India and Nepal.“…t he Centre will strengthen the shared bond of Buddhism between India and Nepal. It will also further popularise the teachings and noble ideals of Lord Buddha,” the Prime Minister later tweeted.

The ministry of external affairs, in a statement, said the centre will be a modern building, to be be constructed by the International Buddhist Confederation, New Delhi, on a plot allocated by the Lumbini Development Trust, under an agreement between the IBC and the LDT signed in March, the officials statement said.

Later addressing Buddha Purnima celebrations in Kathmandu, Modi said, “Given the situation throughout the world, our deepening friendship will benefit the entire humanity, and the devotion and faith of both our countries in Lord Buddha bind us in one thread, makes us members of the same family.”

“We have to give our relations the height of Nepal. Festivals, Rituals, and even familial relations, the kinds of relationships we have lived in for thousands of years, we have to link them with science, infrastructure and technology as well,” he said.

“Buddha is above geopolitical boundaries, he is for everyone, he belongs to everyone.”