Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has stressed the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual links between the state and Sri Lanka, anchored in the shared Theravada Buddhist tradition, while also pitching Arunachal as a promising tourism destination.
Addressing a meeting with Sri Lankan ministers in Colombo on Tuesday, Mein said that despite the physical distance, the two regions remain closely connected through long-standing socio-religious practices.
He pointed to the regular exchange of Buddhist monks between Namsai in eastern Arunachal Pradesh and Sri Lanka for higher studies, Abhidhamma teachings and religious discourses, which, he said, continue to carry forward Lord Buddha’s message of peace, compassion and harmony.
The deputy chief minister was part of an official Indian delegation that travelled to Colombo to receive and facilitate the return of the sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha to India.
According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, the delegation’s interactions also focused on strengthening bilateral relations under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with special reference to India’s timely assistance to Sri Lanka during periods of crisis, which has contributed to deeper trust and cooperation between the two nations.
The discussions further highlighted the strong civilisational bonds between India and Sri Lanka, rooted in shared cultural and spiritual heritage.
