Pardafas Reporter
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is coming to Lumbini on May 16 on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti. This is Modi's first visit to Nepal after becoming the Prime Minister for the second time.
However, this is not his political visit, he is said to be attending a program in Lumbini on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti. However, the visit of the head of state of the neighboring country seems to be important from other points of view.
Nepal-India relations fluctuate from time to time. Lipulek, Kalapani and Limpiyaradhura have recently caused some bitterness in the relations between the two countries. However, both sides are currently moving towards a solution through dialogue and discussion on this issue.
With the arrival of Sher Bahadur Deuba as the Prime Minister, relations have improved and the Indian side has started placing special emphasis on expanding Nepal's relations. The latest example of this is Modi's visit to Lumbini.
Recently, Prime Minister Deuba visited India. In that context, Modi said that Nepal-India relations were exemplary. Diplomatic analysts believe that Modi's visit will bring a resurgence in relations between the two countries.
This is the program
Modi is scheduled to pay his respects at the Mayadevi temple in Lumbini.
Where Prime Minister Deuba will also participate. Due to the corona pandemic, Buddha Purnima, which was normally celebrated in the past, is being celebrated with a special three-day program this time.
According to Lumbini Development Fund officials, both the prime ministers have a program to light lamps at the Mayadevi temple. According to Indian media The Hindu, Modi will land at Lumbini after landing at Kushinagar International Airport, which he inaugurated some time ago. They will come to Lumbini by helicopter from Kushinagar.
Construction of four helipads has also started for Modi, who is about to participate in the 2566th Buddha Jayanti. India is planning to build a German stupa in North Bihar through the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). It is targeted to be completed within three years at a cost of INR 1 billion. Modi and Deuba are also scheduled to jointly lay the foundation stone.
This is Modi's first visit to Nepal since being re-elected Prime Minister of India in 2019. He also visited Janakpur and Muktinath in 2018. However, due to lack of time, the trip to Lumbini was postponed.
Disputes over the birthplace of the Buddha have arisen between Nepal and India from time to time. India has repeatedly stated that Buddha was born in their country. This was spreading not only controversy but also negativity in Nepal towards India.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not immune from this controversy. He also mentioned in some programs that Buddha was born in India.
Even though Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini, India has been making its claim because of going to India for enlightenment and spending most of his life there.
However, analysts say that India should now link the important Buddhist sites in Nepal and India as a Buddhist circuit rather than take it out as a dispute and both countries should benefit from it.
And, Modi himself seems to have the most important role to play in putting this into practice. Though discussions have been held between Nepal and India on the construction of a Buddhist circuit at various stages, the work has not been completed.
Nepal also needs to emphasize and play its role in implementing the agreement reached on the creation of a Buddhist circuit connecting the historical sites of Nepal and India related to Buddhism.
Under the Buddhist circuit, Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, in Nepal, while Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, which he attained enlightenment, lived and attained Mahaparinaya, are in India.
Stakeholders say that even if tourists come to Lumbini via India, there is no place to stay for more than an hour or two. Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, has the potential to attract many tourists and prolong their stay if Nepal develops some infrastructure.
