**Executive Summary**
The document is a press release from the Ministry of Culture regarding the Second Global Buddhist Summit held in New Delhi on January 24-25, 2026. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted India's leadership in promoting Buddhist dialogue under Prime Minister Modi, emphasizing India's commitment to peace and harmony. The release mentions the digitisation of ancient manuscripts and encourages visitation of “The Light & The Lotus: Relics of The Awakened One” exhibition.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Summit Overview:**
* The Second Global Buddhist Summit was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from January 24-25, 2026.
* It was organized by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
* The summit’s theme was “Collective Wisdom, United Voice, and Mutual Coexistence."
* Approximately 200 international representatives attended, including leaders of major Buddhist organizations, monks, scholars, and followers of the Dhamma.
* **Ministerial Statements:**
* Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized India’s proactive role in providing an international platform for Buddhist dialogue.
* He highlighted the Government of India's initiative, "Gyan Bharatam," focused on digitizing ancient manuscripts.
* Shri Shekhawat encouraged visits to the exhibition "The Light & The Lotus: Relics of The Awakened One."
* Shri Kiren Rijiju stated that Buddha Dharma’s message is inclusive and universally applicable, not just for Buddhists.
* **India's Role:**
* The summit reaffirmed India's role as the land of the Buddha and a global torchbearer of collective wisdom.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Culture, Government of India & International Buddhist Confederation (IBC):**
* **Impact:** Strengthened its role in promoting Buddhist dialogue and cultural preservation on a global scale.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting initiatives like the Global Buddhist Summit and "Gyan Bharatam".
**Buddhist Monks, Scholars, and Followers:**
* **Impact:** Provided a platform for dialogue on contemporary issues from a Buddhist perspective.
* **Action Required:** Participate in future summits and contribute to the preservation and promotion of Buddhist principles.
**Citizens and Delegates:**
* **Impact:** Encouraged to engage with and learn about Buddhist heritage and principles.
* **Action Required:** Visit the "The Light & The Lotus: Relics of The Awakened One” exhibition and other related cultural events.
Key Entities Referenced
Global Buddhist Summit: An international summit promoting Buddhist dialogue, hosted in New Delhi.
Ministry of Culture: The ministry responsible for organizing the Global Buddhist Summit in collaboration with the IBC.
Gyan Bharatam: An initiative by the Government of India for the digitization of ancient manuscripts.
New Delhi: The location of the Global Buddhist Summit at Bharat Mandapam.
International Buddhist Confederation (IBC): Organization collaborating with the Ministry of Culture to host the Global Buddhist Summit.
Ministry of Culture
India Emerges as Global Platform for Buddhist
Dialogue under PM Modi: Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat
Ancient Wisdom for Modern World: Union Culture Minister
Highlights India’s Buddhist Heritage at 2nd Global Buddhist
Summit
प्रव तथ: 24 JAN 2026 7:49PM by PIB Delhi
Highlighting India’s global leadership in promoting Buddhist dialogue, Union Minister for Culture and
Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, noted that since Shri Narendra Modi assumed office as Prime
Minister, India has taken proactive responsibility in providing an international platform for Buddhist
monks, gurus, scholars, and thinkers, reinforcing the nation’s enduring commitment to peace and
harmony. He made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the Second Global Buddhist
Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 24 January 2026.
“Under Gyan Bharatam, the Government of India is undertaking one of the world’s largest initiatives for
the digitisation of ancient manuscripts,” the Minister stated, emphasising that this landmark effort reflects
India’s commitment to preserving and sharing its vast civilisational and spiritual knowledge with the
world.Shri Shekhawat encouraged delegates and citizens to visit the grand international exhibition “The Light &
The Lotus: Relics of The Awakened One”, currently on display at the Rai Pithora Cultural Centre, New
Delhi, and pay reverence to Bhagwan Buddha. Recalling the Piprahwa Relics, repatriated to India after
127 years, he described them as living symbols of India’s ancient civilisation and timeless spiritual legacy.
The two-day Second Global Buddhist Summit was organised by the International Buddhist Confederation
(IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, at Bharat Mandapam, New
Delhi, on 24–25 January 2026. The Summit was attended by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and
Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, along with senior dignitaries, monks, scholars, and international
delegates.Held on the theme “Collective Wisdom, United Voice, and Mutual Coexistence”, the conference witnessed
participation from nearly 200 international representatives from across the world, including leaders of
major Buddhist organisations, eminent monks, scholars, and followers of the Dhamma. The Summit
provided a common platform for dialogue on contemporary and future global challenges from a Buddhist
perspective.Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren
Rijiju, remarked that Buddha Dharma is not only for those who identify as Buddhists, but for everyone,
underlining its inclusive and universal appeal. He stated that as global seekers increasingly turn to the
Dhamma, India bears a special responsibility to preserve, share, and live its principles of compassion, non-
violence, harmony, and coexistence.
The Second Global Buddhist Summit reaffirmed India’s role as the land of the Buddha and as a global
torchbearer of collective wisdom, peaceful coexistence, and mutual understanding.
Live: 2nd Global Buddhist Summit 2026 https://t.co/c92ucvojp3
— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) January 24, 2026
"Under Gyan Bharatam, the Government of India, is taking one of the world's
largest initiatives for the digitisation of ancient manuscripts." (1/2)#GlobalBuddhis
tSummit #GyanBharatam pic.twitter.com/wGgvMVGEfx
— Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) January 24, 2026
Watch Live: 2nd Global Buddhist Summit 2026@gssjodhpur @MinOfCultureGoI @
IbcWorldOrg https://t.co/KqcKKujWCS
— PIB Culture (@PIBCulture) January 24, 2026
***
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2218273) आगंतुक पटल : 314इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu