In a significant engagement aimed at enhancing spiritual and cultural ties, a high-level Thai delegation has been on a visit to Gujarat from June 18. The delegation began their outreach with a meeting with Shri Bhupendra Bhai Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat. The meeting was attended by eight Thai delegates and two representatives from the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), along with senior state officials During the meeting, Shri Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, spoke about the longstanding and cordial relations between India and Thailand. He was joined by Shri Mulubhai Bera, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Culture, Forests, Environment, and Climate Change; Shri Manojkumar Das, Additional Chief Secretary; Smt. Avantika Singh Aulakh, Secretary; and Dr. Rajender Kumar, Secretary for Tourism, Devasthanam Management, Civil Aviation, and Pilgrimage.

During the meeting, the Thai delegation requested the display of sacred relics for religious exposition. The Gujarat government expressed its support and advised the delegation to channel their request through the Government of India. His Eminence conveyed heartfelt condolences for the recent tragic air crash in Ahmedabad. The Chief Minister also offered a kaleidoscopic overview of Gujarat’s rich Buddhist heritage, highlighting key sites such as Devni Mori, Vadnagar (visited by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang), and the Uparkot Caves, and emphasized the historical warmth of India–Thailand relations.

Later that afternoon, the delegation visited the holy relics housed at the historic Gujarat University established in 1880. They were warmly received by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dharmesh Patel, along with faculty and deans. Gift exchanges took place between the two sides, and the delegation reiterated their wish for public exposition of the relics. The university administration was advised to liaise with the central government for the necessary permissions.

The delegation then left for Dwarka, making a brief spiritual stop at Sankalp Bhumi for a pooja ritual before continuing their journey. On arrival at Dwarka, the delegation was welcomed by Col. Athaole and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Dwarka.

On June 20, the visitors proceeded to the revered Dwarkadheesh Temple, where they were received by the local administration and temple trustees. A thoughtful exchange took place between His Eminence and ten temple seers, discussing Hindu and Buddhist philosophies. Reflecting on his time as a student in Kolkata’s Jadavpur University, His Eminence shared that visiting the city of Krishna had long been a personal aspiration.

Demonstrating his commitment to compassion and service, he donated ₹1 lakh to the temple trust for charitable aid to the underprivileged. A special pooja was performed by the seers on the occasion.

The day concluded with an evening visit to Sirajpur Beach, rounding off a spiritually rich and diplomatically meaningful visit that underscored centuries of shared heritage and cultural resonance between India and Thailand. The delegation had earlier arrived in Delhi and had met the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, at his residence.

****

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

Hindu Press Release