Modi in Lumbini: Buddhism provides India a cultural inroad in Nepal – it may not be enough to counter China

News: On the occassion of Buddha Poornima, PM Modi made a trip to Lumbini in Nepal, becoming the first Indian PM to do so. He offered prayers at the Mayadevi temple, believed to be the Buddha’s birthplace, and then laid the foundation for the International Buddhist Conference and Meditation Centre.

The trip has come one month after Nepal PM’s India visit.

Why the PM’s trip to Nepal is being considered significant?

The trip is being projected as a “cultural visit” but there are many who call it India’s late awakening from a deep diplomatic slumber.

– Late awakening, because Delhi has been indifferent to the deep inroads China has been making in Nepal.

– And moreover, very little has been done to repair Indo-Nepal bilateral relations, which suffered immensely b/w 2016 and 2021.  India not only refused to welcome Nepal’s constitution promulgated in September 2015, but also launched an economic blockade for 134 days.

Hence, PM Modi, by befriending Deuba, has made an effective attempt to repair the damage in bilateral ties that took place

Deuba, who is also the chairman of the Nepali Congress, recently accepted Modi’s invitation for his party and the BJP to establish fraternal relations — something the Chinese Communist Party tried with the unified Communist party of Nepal.

What has been agreed at Lumbini?

India and Nepal agreed to develop a Buddhist circuit, linking shrines located in the two countries with Lumbini occupying a prime position.

India also agreed to set up the Dr B R Ambedkar Chair in Lumbini University, with around 1,000 students, including from China, enrolled.

China’s efforts at establishing its foothold in Nepal

China first offered to spend $3 billion to build up Lumbini as the world peace city under the aegis of its NGO – Asia Pacific Exchange and Foundation – co-opting Maoist leader Prachanda as its vice chairman.

China has also built a monastery in the core area of the Lumbini Development Project. China’s offer to develop it as the World Peace Centre and construct a railway line connecting Tibet and Kathmandu is as yet in abeyance, but not completely given up.

How has Lumbini become the centrestage for competing international forces in Nepal?

The increased presence and influence of the US and the European Union, along with India, has become more pronounced in Nepal’s domestic politics – especially following the political changes of 2005-06.

China retaliated with a matching presence and economic investments. This has had an impact on internal politics and policy-making in Nepal. But unlike its competitors, China’s outlook had depth and took into account multiple dimensions.

Lumbini, thanks largely to China, has now become sort of a microcosm of the competing international forces in the country.

India first reacted to the Chinese presence in Lumbini on November 8, 2011, in the wake of enthusiastic publicity by the Chinese about the World City initiative.

Way forward

Modi’s visit to Lumbini and the laying of the monastery’s foundation may give India a foothold and cultural space. But that provides zero guarantee that it will be able to outdo its competitors, including the West and China, who are already deeply entrenched in Nepal.

Source: This post is based on the article “Modi in Lumbini: Buddhism provides India a cultural inroad in Nepal – it may not be enough to counter China” published in The Indian Express on 17th May 22.