India’s act East Policy to push economic ties: Govt

Shared Buddhist heritage is an important aspect in India's ties at the bilateral, regional and multilateral level with many ASEAN countries, the Government informed Parliament on Friday.

Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, in a written response to a query, also said the objective of the Act East Policy of the Government of India is to promote economic cooperation, “strengthening cultural ties and developing strategic relationships” including with the countries of Southeast Asia. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was asked about the manner in which the recent 'Bodhi Yatra' and related initiatives have advanced “India's Buddhist diplomacy” in Southeast Asia and strengthened cultural and spiritual ties with ASEAN countries. It was also asked for details of specific long-term strategies being formulated by the Government to sustain and enhance engagement with ASEAN nations through cultural diplomacy, including support for ASEAN cultural heritage projects and tourism cooperation. “The objective of the Act East Policy of the Government of India is to promote economic cooperation, strengthen cultural ties and develop strategic relationships, including with the countries of Southeast Asia. Shared Buddhist heritage is an important aspect in our ties at the bilateral, regional and multilateral level with many ASEAN countries,” Margherita said.

Cultural and spiritual connections are reinforced by regular exchange of visits of Buddhist monks, senior functionaries, pilgrims and tourists. In the past two years, based on requests from partner countries, the Government of India has facilitated two significant expositions of the holy relics of Lord Buddha in Southeast Asia, he said.

The first, held in Thailand from February 22 to March 19 in 2024, included relics of Buddha and his disciples, and witnessed wide public participation across four venues, with over 40 lakh devotees in attendance.

The second exposition was undertaken in Vietnam from May 2 to June 2 in 2025, where relics from Nagarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh, were displayed at nine locations during UN Vesak celebrations, drawing an estimated 1.4 crore visitors, the Government said.

“These initiatives contributed to fostering cultural linkages with the respective countries. Under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Plan of Action (2019-24), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) organised a nine-day trip of travel agencies to prominent Buddhist sites for 49 participants, (from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam) from June 2-10, 2025 on nomination basis in coordination with Government of Uttar Pradesh and Government of Bihar,” he said.