Introduction: The Buddha’s Path in Modern Diplomacy
In an increasingly volatile world marked by geopolitical tensions and cultural divides, India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as a unique blend of strategic pragmatism and spiritual soft power. A defining feature of this approach is the revival and reinforcement of Buddhism in India’s foreign policy, a civilizational tool for projecting peace, harmony, and cooperation across Asia and beyond.
PM Modi has repeatedly emphasized that the teachings of the Buddha offer answers to many of today’s global challenges. By placing Buddhism at the heart of India’s foreign outreach, Modi is not only building cultural bridges but also redefining the country’s role as a moral and spiritual leader in global affairs. This article explores how the Modi government has leveraged Buddhism as a diplomatic asset and the implications it holds for global harmony.
The Historical Roots of Buddhist Diplomacy
India’s tryst with Buddhist diplomacy is not a modern invention. The seeds were sown over 2,000 years ago when Emperor Ashoka sent emissaries to spread the message of the Buddha across Asia, from Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia to Central Asia and beyond. This ancient soft power continues to influence India’s image, especially in countries with deep Buddhist traditions.
By reviving Buddhism in India’s foreign policy framework, PM Modi draws upon this rich historical legacy to foster goodwill and mutual understanding. Whether it’s Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, or Mongolia, India’s Buddhist connections have helped strengthen bilateral ties with a shared sense of cultural ancestry.
Under Modi, this heritage has been repurposed not merely as a cultural export but as a strategic foreign policy instrument capable of promoting unity in a fractured world.
Modi’s Vision: Civilizational Leadership Through Buddhist Values
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy goes beyond conventional diplomacy. At multiple international platforms, he has emphasized India’s role as the birthplace of Buddhism and how the country can offer the world more than just economic or military might—it can offer the values of compassion, tolerance, and peace.
This civilizational leadership is most visible when Modi speaks at events such as the Global Buddhist Summit, International Vesak Day, or his visits to Buddhist pilgrimage sites abroad. His speeches often reiterate that Buddhism in India’s foreign policy vision is not confined to temples or rituals but encompasses a philosophy for sustainable development, ethical governance, and peaceful coexistence.
The goal is clear: to present India as a spiritual beacon in the 21st century, rooted in values that resonate globally, particularly in Asia where Buddhism remains culturally influential.
Buddhist Tourism and Cultural Diplomacy as Foreign Policy Tools
One of the most visible embodiments of Buddhism in India’s foreign policy approach under Modi is the emphasis on Buddhist tourism and heritage conservation. The development of the Buddhist circuit, including iconic sites like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, and Lumbini (in Nepal), is aimed at attracting pilgrims and strengthening people-to-people ties with countries that revere the Buddha.
India has launched several initiatives:
- Special Buddhist tourist trains for international pilgrims.
- Visa facilitation for Buddhist-majority nations.
- Infrastructure development around sacred Buddhist locations.
- Collaborative projects for restoring Buddhist temples and artifacts.
Through these measures, PM Modi is building a Buddhist connectivity network that doubles up as a cultural and economic bridge between India and partner nations, reinforcing the soft power of Buddhism in diplomatic engagement.
Strengthening Ties with Buddhist-Majority Countries
A key strategic advantage of prioritizing Buddhism in India’s foreign policy is its natural resonance with several Asian countries. PM Modi’s visits to nations like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Bhutan, Mongolia, and Japan have consistently included Buddhist elements—be it visits to monasteries, interactions with monks, or references to Buddhist texts in official speeches.
In Mongolia, India gifted a copy of the revered Tripitaka scriptures, while also building a new Buddhist monastery in Lumbini in collaboration with Nepal. In Sri Lanka, Modi was the chief guest at the UN Vesak Day celebrations, where he spoke about Buddha’s timeless relevance to the modern world.
These efforts underline the symbolic strength of Buddhism in India’s diplomacy, serving as a spiritual connection point with Asian neighbors and countering geopolitical competitors by building trust through shared values.
Countering China’s Influence in South and Southeast Asia
China has long used Buddhism as a tool of its own diplomacy, particularly through initiatives like the World Buddhist Forum and cultural investments in Southeast Asia. However, many Buddhist nations remain aware that India is the true spiritual home of the Buddha.
Under PM Modi, India has begun to assert this cultural legitimacy more confidently. For instance, India’s leadership in organizing the Global Buddhist Summit 2023 showcased its centrality in Buddhist discourse, positioning India as a more authentic and neutral partner compared to China’s state-controlled narrative.
By emphasizing Buddhism in India’s foreign policy narrative, Modi has positioned the country as a counterbalance to China’s cultural diplomacy, especially in nations wary of authoritarian influence. The strategy subtly aligns religious soft power with geopolitical interests.
Building Multilateral Buddhist Networks and Alliances
India has also taken steps to institutionalize Buddhist diplomacy at the multilateral level. Through organizations such as ICC (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) and collaborations with UNESCO, India promotes joint research, academic exchanges, and intergovernmental dialogues on Buddhism.
PM Modi has encouraged the creation of a Buddhist university, regional Buddhist conclaves, and partnerships with think tanks from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Japan, and Vietnam. These alliances are fostering a Buddhist knowledge ecosystem where India can emerge as a leader, shaping not only historical narratives but also future cooperation models.
The role of Buddhism in India’s foreign policy has thus evolved from a symbolic gesture to a structural pillar of regional influence.
Digital Buddhism: Virtual Diplomacy in the Modern Age
PM Modi’s foreign policy team has not limited Buddhist outreach to physical pilgrimages or summits. Digital initiatives, such as virtual tours of Buddhist sites, online Buddhist scripture libraries, and Buddhist-themed cultural content in foreign languages, have also taken shape.
These tools extend the impact of Buddhism in India’s foreign policy beyond official diplomatic channels, reaching younger global audiences and diaspora communities. The Digital India mission is now serving not only economic and governance goals but also cultural diplomacy via Buddhism.
Such strategies ensure that India’s message of peace and harmony via Buddhist teachings remains accessible and relevant in the age of smartphones and social media.
Buddhism as a Framework for Global Peacebuilding
In global forums like the UN, G20, and BRICS, PM Modi has often invoked Buddhist principles to call for unity against war, terrorism, climate change, and social injustice. He has proposed that Buddha’s Middle Path and principles like Ahimsa (non-violence) and Karuna (compassion) should guide international cooperation.
This infusion of Buddhist values into global governance dialogues reflects the maturity of Buddhism in India’s foreign policy articulation. It’s no longer merely a tool for regional outreach but a moral compass that India offers to the world.
Through this lens, India positions itself not just as an emerging economic power but as a thought leader advocating for an inclusive, peaceful world order.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite the many successes, some critics argue that Buddhism in India’s foreign policy under Modi can risk being seen as selective religious diplomacy. Questions are raised about whether similar outreach is extended to nations aligned with other major religions with Indian heritage links.
However, supporters counter this by highlighting that Buddhism’s non-sectarian and universal values make it an ideal medium for international peace-building, without promoting religious conversion or hegemony.
Moreover, Buddhist diplomacy is not exclusionary. India continues to engage with other civilizations and faiths through various cultural and bilateral channels, but Buddhism remains a natural choice for its deep roots in Indian soil and widespread reverence across Asia.
Conclusion: A Path Forward Through the Teachings of the Buddha
Buddhism in India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Modi represents a harmonious blend of ancient wisdom and modern statecraft. By turning to the teachings of the Buddha, India is crafting a global image rooted in peace, compassion, and unity.
This approach has not only enhanced India’s ties with Buddhist-majority countries but also positioned it as a spiritual power offering solutions to global crises through ethical leadership and cultural diplomacy.
In a world desperate for calm amid chaos, India’s Buddhist diplomacy—spearheaded by PM Modi—offers a timeless path forward. The message is clear: the future of global harmony may well lie in the footsteps of the Enlightened One, guided by India’s light.
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