New Delhi, June 18 – A high-ranking Thai Buddhist delegation, led by Somdet Phra Thirayanamuni—the acting Supreme Patriarch of Thailand—is currently on a six-day visit to India, further strengthening the deep-rooted historical and spiritual connections between the two nations, according to a statement from the Union Ministry of Culture.
As part of the visit, the delegation paid homage at the Holy Relics shrine housed in the National Museum in New Delhi, where a Pali chanting ceremony was also conducted.
This visit follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent trip to Thailand, during which he highlighted the shared Buddhist legacy and announced plans to display the Holy Relics of Devni Mori in Thailand.
Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat met the delegation, emphasizing the common cultural and spiritual heritage shared by India and Thailand, including linguistic ties and traditions like the Ramayana’s influence in Thai culture. Minister Shekhawat also extended an invitation to the monks to visit Ayodhya, noting the Supreme Patriarch’s interest in Hindu mythology.
Somdet Phra Thirayanamuni, a revered royal monk, is known for his leadership in Buddhist education and global outreach.
The visit is expected to deepen India-Thailand cultural diplomacy, promote religious tourism, and enhance bilateral collaboration in the fields of heritage conservation and education, the statement added.
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