India has allocated 10 dedicated ICCR scholarships for studying 'Tibetan Buddhism' for Mongolians at specialized institutes of Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) Leh and Central University of Tibetan Studies (CUTS), Varanasi starting 2020-2021 to further consolidate the shared legacy between the two nations.
This was announced after the virtual meeting between India's Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel and the Mongolian Minister of Culture, Chinbat Nomin today to discuss various issues under the Cultural Exchange Program (CEP) between the two countries, and other areas of common interest.
As special prayers are being conducted by some of the leading monasteries in Ulaanbaatar for India during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was reaffirmed by the both countries that the strategic partnership, which was established during the historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mongolia in May 2015, would continue to be sustained and strengthened.
The CEP between India and Mongolia also stands renewed until 2023. India’s historical connect and convergence in Buddhism with Mongolia forms the basis of deep, spiritual friendship between the two countries as Patel reiterated Modi government's commitment for digitization of Buddhist manuscripts in Gandan monastery and said India would consider Mongolia’s request for assistance in setting up a museum-cum-library there.
He further stated that the Ministry of Culture is likely to complete reprinting of about 100 sets of sacred Mongolian Kanjur (108 volumes each) by next year for distribution in the main centres of Buddhism in Mongolia.
Steps are also being taken by the Indian government to facilitate visa and travel of Buddhist monks from Mongolia within India.
Both sides expressed deep satisfaction at the strong cultural bonds and spiritual connection that has been developed between the two countries and reaffirmed their commitment to take forward the mutual cooperation as soon as the situation of Covid eases in the two countries.
आज @MinOfCultureGoI से मंगोलिया की संस्कृति मंत्री @NominChinbat के साथ वर्चुअल माध्यम से विभिन्न मुद्दों पर चर्चा हुई इस चर्चा में @secycultureGOI @nirupamakotru @rahulsymby @IndiainMongolia @MongolDiplomacy की उपस्थिति रही @PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar @JPNadda @BJP4India @BJP4MP pic.twitter.com/sVhsEAi6Uu
— Prahlad Singh Patel (@prahladspatel) May 13, 2021
