India to build Buddhist Centre in Nepal like China's in Lumbini

Kathmandu, New Delhi: Almost a decade after China built in Nepal's Lumbini a world peace centre, India is going to lay foundation for its Buddhist Culture and Heritage Centre there.

PM Modi will visit Lumbini on Monday to participate the ceremony. Meanwhile, the centre will cost India INR one billion, according to The Indian Express.

Marking more intimacy in India Nepal relations, India's presence in the nation will occur at the holy site just 10 km away from the border.

With the financial support from the Ministry of Culture, International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) will undertake the construction of 'India International Centre for Buddhist Culture & Heritage.'

Nations including US, China, Canada, France, Germany and Thailand, among others, already built their centres in Lumbini to promote Buddhist philosophy.

Besides offering prayers at Mayadevi temple here, PM Modi will speak at a Buddha Jayanti event organised by the Lumbini Development Trust.

Prime Minister's Office in a statement said PM Modi was looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Deuba again after their productive discussions during his visit to India last month.

The statement also said "we" would build shared understanding to expand cooperation in multiple areas like hydropower, development and connectivity.

PM Modi and PM Deuba are also scheduled to jointly address a congregation, including lamas.

The two sides previously discussed to sort out Lipulekh border dispute that flared up in 2018-19.

However, Deuba's three-day visit to India ended without a joint communique.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) will set up the Dr B R Ambedkar Chair for Studies on Buddhism at Lumbini University.