Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India visited Lumbini, Nepal for the first time in the last few decades.

Important Buddhist sites in India

• Bodh Gaya: the place of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment
• Sarnath: the place of Buddha’s first sermon 
• Kushinagar: the place of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana
• Shravasti and Rajgir: places where Buddha preached for many years
• Nalanda: Buddhist monastic university

Significance of Lumbini to India

• Important centre of Buddhism: Lumbini in Nepal is said to be the place of birth of Buddha and is one of the holiest places of the religion.
• China factor: There has been an increase in the Chinese presence and influence in Lumbini.
• The largest monastery has been built by the Chinese who also support and promote international conferences on Buddhism in Nepal.
• The Chinese are trying to extend their soft power of Buddhism in Nepal.

Absence of India’s strategic presence

Despite being home to many sacred centres of Buddhism, India remains absent in Lumbini.

• There were talks about developing a Buddhist circuit between the major pilgrimage sites in Nepal and India. But, talk has not fully translated into action.

Lumbini has monasteries from various countries but India does not have a monastery in Lumbini.

• India has helped to construct only a small museum building in the late 1990s so far.

There is the poor state of border infrastructure and immigration and other facilities in the area. The road networks are poor. For example, it is a nightmare to cross the Sunauli-Bhairahawa India-Nepal check post that is designated for tourists.

Opportunities for India to increase its strategic presence in the region

• India should look to increase its presence in the region and this can be done by first establishing an Indian monastery.
• Nepal is facing difficulties in implementing the plan of developing Lumbini which was formulated five decades ago by a United Nations Secretary-General appointed international committee. 
• India must look to extend its support in this regard.

Developing a Buddhist circuit

• India and Nepal must collaborate together to develop the connectivity infrastructure between the major pilgrimage sites in Nepal and India as the existing network like Sunauli-Bhairahawa India-Nepal check post along the Uttar Pradesh-Nepal border are difficult to cross.
• India must look to host an international conference on the development of the Buddhist circuit which will attract envoys from Buddhist countries thus increasing India’s soft power influence.

Developing a Buddhist circuit 

• The Buddhist sites in India such as Bodh Gaya require attention and focus as they have been built in an unplanned manner.
• There is a need to formulate better policies and develop Bodh Gaya as a sacred place for pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists. 
• A high-level committee with representatives from all the stakeholders could be created in order to address the problems and develop the Buddhist sites. 
• Bodh Gaya can be developed along the lines of Lumbini and India can set up an international museum of Buddhist traditions in Bodh Gaya and invite all Buddhist countries to participate.
• Efforts must be undertaken towards making the entire Buddhist circuit of Lumbini-Bodh Gaya-Sarnath-Kushinagar to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Road Ahead

• The Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Lumbini has gained significance as the visit opens up opportunities for India to collaborate better with Nepal to improve its strategic presence in the region and also help showcase to the world that India follows the principles of peace, compassion and non-violence preached by the Buddha.
• The basic infrastructure like roads network between India and Nepal should be upgraded. For example, Kushinagar Airport (India) as well as Bhairahawa Airport (Nepal) should be constructed timely. Further, the integrated check post could also be built speedily. The measure would boost tourism and the local economy.
• The Buddhist circuit, namely Lumbini-Bodh Gaya-Sarnath-Kushinagar should be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with master plans for each segment of the circuit.