Acknowledge Modi's effort to bring all the Buddhist countries closer to India: Rijiju

Rijiju said Narendra Modi has made efforts to bring all the Buddhist countries closer to India.

"This particular journey of taking the relics of Lord Buddha to Vietnam is a special gesture by the Government of India because it is the first official delegation with the relics of Lord Buddha... So it is not only the entire Buddhist community but also the Vietnamese government that is expressing deep gratitude to the Government of India for this gesture," Rijiju told ANI news agency.

"I want to acknowledge Prime Minister Modi's effort to bring all the Buddhist countries closer to India, sharing the same Buddhist heritage and spreading the message of Lord Buddha, which is peace and compassion," he added.

Speaking to the news agency, Rijiju said  the "symbol of Buddhism, which has emanated from the sacred land of India has spread throughout the globe".

Rijiju also said that "message of the Government of India is always peace".

In a significant cultural and spiritual milestone, the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on May 2 aboard a special aircraft from India, marking the beginning of the United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations in Vietnam from May 6–8, 2025.

The Indian delegation, led by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Andhra Pradesh Minister Kandula Durgesh, was joined by monks and senior officials in accompanying the Sacred Relics from Sarnath, India.

"Upon arrival, they were warmly received by the Government of Vietnam and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, reflecting the profound and shared spiritual values that unite both nations," read a government statement.

Following ceremonial prayers, the Holy Relics were reverently enshrined at Thanh Tam Monastery.

In a symbolic gesture of peace and friendship, a Sacred Bodhi Tree sapling from India was also planted at the Vietnam Buddhist University.