India And Nepal Relations Unshakeable Like The Himalayas: PM Modi In Lumbini

During his visit to the ancient temple, where Gautam Buddha was born, he was accompanied by his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the relation between India and Nepal were "unshakable like the Himalayas" and their ever-strengthening friendship and closeness would serve entire humanity. Speaking at Buddhist Conference in Lumbini on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Jayanti, PM Modi said the devotion to Lord Buddha binds the two nations together.

Welcoming PM Modi at a Buddha Jayanti event in Lumbini, Nepalese PM said, "Extremely happy today to welcome PM Modi to this sacred land of Lumbini,the birthplace of Lord Buddha - the apostle of peace. Delighted to have the presence of PM Modi at this special ceremony in this sacred land," ANI reported. 

Delighted to visit the Lord Budha's birthplace, PM Modi said, "The energy of the place where Lord Buddha was born, gives a different feeling. I was happy to see that the Mahabodhi sapling I had gifted in 2014 for this place, is now growing into a tree."

Highlighting India and Nepal relations, PM Modi said, "The growing & strengthening friendship between India & Nepal will work for the benefit of entire humanity amid the kind of global situation that is emerging today. The devotion to Lord Buddha binds us together, makes us members of one family."

Stating that Lord Buddha is above geopolitical boundaries, PM Modi said, "Even our Lord Ram is incomplete without Nepal." 

PM Modi along with his Nepalese counterpart laid the foundation stone of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture & Heritage, and offerred prayers at the sacred Maya Devi temple. 

India and Nepal inked a slew of agreements during the visit, including collaboration between their higher educational institutions and state power authority.

Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini in the year 623 B.C. He eventually became renowned as the Buddha after attaining enlightenment in the Bihar's Bodhgaya.

According to an official press release, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), a 'grantee entity' under the Ministry of Culture, would be in charge of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage.

The IBC was established on November 2, 2012, with the goal of spreading and maintaining the Buddha's teachings and history across the world, particularly in India's close vicinity.

According to an official release from India, the Buddhist centre would be Nepal's first "net zero emission" structure.

(With ANI & PTI Inputs)