Bangkok: In a powerful reaffirmation of India’s cultural diplomacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the historic Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, commonly known as Wat Pho, in Bangkok in early April. Accompanied by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the visit symbolized India’s continued emphasis on Buddhism as a cornerstone of its foreign policy and civilizational outreach.

At the revered temple, Prime Minister Modi paid homage to the Reclining Buddha, offered Sanghadana (charitable offerings) to senior Buddhist monks, and presented a replica of the Ashokan Lion Capital — a symbol of India’s ancient Buddhist legacy — at the shrine. Reflecting on the occasion, Modi recalled the vibrant civilizational bonds shared between India and Thailand, rooted in centuries of spiritual and cultural exchange.

The Prime Minister has long spoken of the enduring influence of Buddha’s teachings across Asia, emphasizing how the message of compassion, peace, and shared values continues to unite the region. Buddhism, deeply embedded in India’s identity, has become an essential element of India’s soft power and regional engagement.

During his bilateral meeting with PM Shinawatra on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi offered to send sacred relics of Lord Buddha, excavated from Gujarat, to Thailand — a gesture aimed at deepening spiritual ties and people-to-people connection.

Underscoring these shared cultural links, PM Shinawatra presented Modi with a special edition of the Ti-Pitaka, the sacred Buddhist scriptures in Pali, during his visit. This exchange built upon recent developments in the spiritual diplomacy between the two countries. In 2024, the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha and two of his principal disciples, Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Maha Moggallana, were taken from India to Thailand, where more than four million devotees paid their respects.