Vietnam a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy & Indo-Pacific vision, saw stronger ties and collaboration with India during the Indian Minister Kiren Rijiju’s recent visit to the country on account of Buddha Purnima, a Buddhist celebration hosted by Vietnam for the fourth time and celebrated as the United Nations Day of Vesak, across the globe. as the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha arrived in Ho Chi Minh City 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.
The Indian Union Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju attended the inaugural session of the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations 2025, organized at Ho Ching Minh City, and conveyed warm greetings on behalf of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the auspicious occasion to the global crowd. He was all praise for the profound teachings of the Buddha and their contemporary relevance and the solutions which they offer to many of the present global challenges. Along with him, the Indian delegation attending the session included International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) Secretary General Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, IBC Director General Abhijit Halder, and Ambassador of India to Vietnam H.E. Sandeep Arya. Over 2000 delegates from across the world participated in this grand event themed on ‘Buddhist Approach to Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development.
During his address, Mr. Rijiju stressed upon the fact that India’s initiative Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which promotes awareness about the impact of individual choices on our shared planet, is deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy. He also invited followers of Lord Buddha to visit the sacred sites associated with his teachings in India and establish a deep connect with this living heritage. On the occasion, President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Sangharaja of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha also addressed the event. President Cuong welcomed Rijiju’s attendance at the event organized at. He thanked Rijiju for bringing Lord Buddha’s sarira, a sacred treasure of India, to Vietnam, describing the gesture as a testament to the deep cultural and religious ties between the two nations.
Both the leaders also met separately and recognized the healthy progress in multi-dimensional cooperation between India and Vietnam, and affirmed their support for further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. They discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries, building on their shared historical and cultural ties. Notably, both the leaders expressed respect towards strong ties between the two countries. President Cuong appreciated the Government of India’s gesture of sending Holy Buddha Relics to Vietnam.
The President of Vietnam accompanied by Minister Rijiju, the Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of Vietnam, Politburo Member and Party Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City paid their respects to the Holy Buddha Relics brought from Sarnath near Kashi to the pagoda (temple) in Ho Chi Minh City. Shri Kiren Rijiju also visited an exhibition of Indian sculptures of Lord Buddha as well as digital restoration of Buddhist monuments in India on the sidelines of the United Nations Day of Vesak in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He also visited a comparative exhibition of Buddhist art and sculptures in India and Vietnam which brings out that over one and half millennia old Buddhist connections between the two countries extended beyond spirituality to the fields of art and culture.
The Holy Relics are being exhibited with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the National Museum of India, and the International Buddha Confederation. They will be displayed to the public in Ho Chi Minh City until May 7, 2025, before continuing to Tay Ninh, Hanoi, and Ha Nam until May 21, 2025. The Sacred Relics will be in Vietnam for the aforesaid Vesak period, as part of the Vesak Day commemorations, strengthening people-to-people connections and honouring Lord Buddha’s message of peace, compassion, and harmony.
