Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, in Nepal and held bilateral talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba. PM Modi’s meeting with Deuba assumed significance against the backdrop of China’s growing efforts to increase influence in the Himalayan nation, with the opening of a Chinese-built airport near Lumbini on the same day being the latest example of this.
But PM Modi flew by helicopter directly from a nearby airport in Uttar Pradesh and landed a few kilometers away from it, bypassing the new facility. With all this apparently in mind, PM Modi used the occasion to give an oblique message to Beijing, saying that the relations between India and Nepal are unshakable like the Himalayas. He went on to give what was seen as a message to the international community as well on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, saying that India and Nepal’s ever-strengthening friendship will benefit entire humanity in the emerging global situ
ation. In talks with Deuba, PM Modi focused on the areas that will bring New Delhi and Kathmandu much closer so as to thwart bids by any other country (China) to create any kind of misunderstanding between the neighbours.
Diplomatic sources told The Daily Guardian that PM Modi’s message was loud and clear for China, as he clearly suggested that no amount of effort on the part of Beijing can weaken the strong and unshakable ties between India and Nepal. Sources also said, that similarly, the PM suggested to the world that India and Nepal’s friendship is not only for the benefit of the two neighbouring nations but it will also be beneficial for the entire global community and humanity which is bearing the brunt of the emerging global situation. “The message that PM Modi sent out from Buddha’s birthplace at Lumbini was larger and wider,” say sources. “As Gautam Buddha always thought about peace and well-being of human beings, PM Modi chose the occasion to talk about the well-being of the entire humanity,” sources explained.
He made these remarks while addressing a Buddhist Conference in Lumbini. He said Buddha is the embodiment of the collective understanding of humanity. “The growing and strengthening friendship between India and Nepal will work for the benefit of the entire humanity amid the kind of global situation that is emerging today. The devotion to Lord Buddha binds us together and makes us members of one family,” Modi said.
PM Modi’s diplomacy in Nepal saw his efforts to further strengthen and cement the civilizational bonds between New Delhi and Kathmandu. He said, “I know that today when a grand temple of Lord Shri Ram is being built in India, the people of Nepal are equally happy,” he added. PM Modi had already referred to the civilizational values in ties between the two neighbouring countries in his departure statement. He had said, “Our ties with Nepal are unparalleled. The civilisational and people-to-people contacts between India and Nepal form the enduring edifice of our close relationship.”
In fact, PM Modi reminded the Nepalese government and people of the Himalayan nations of the fact that the relations between the two countries date back to ancient times.