In an increasingly interconnected world, where nations seek deeper meaning beyond geopolitical equations, Bharat, the land of Hindu Dharma, is re-emerging as a spiritual and cultural torchbearer under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As per the Organiser, his recent two-day visit to Thailand in April 2025 for the sixth BIMSTEC Summit was not merely a diplomatic affair but a celebration of shared civilizational roots, spiritual synergy, and cultural renaissance.
A grand cultural welcome rooted in Dharma
Upon arrival at Don Mueang Airport, PM Modi was greeted with an overwhelming cultural reception from the Indian diaspora. Bhangra dancers, Garba performers, Jain chants, and Sikh representatives offering symbols of the Golden Temple created a vibrant mosaic of Bharatiya identity. The ISKCON community presented the Bhagavad Gita, while a classical performance of the Thai epic Ramakien—an adaptation of the Ramayana—demonstrated the deep-rooted Dharmic influence Bharat has cast on Southeast Asia.
The highlight of cultural diplomacy came when PM Modi was presented with “The World Tipitaka: Sajjhaya Phonetic Edition” by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The Tipitaka, a revered compilation of Bhagwan Buddha’s teachings in Pali and Thai scripts, reflects the eternal spiritual bond between the two Dharma-based nations. The moment reaffirmed Bharat’s enduring role as the cultural leader.
Blending culture with strategy
PM Modi’s presence at the BIMSTEC summit went beyond traditional diplomacy. It represented Bharat’s strategy to strengthen regional unity through cultural integrity. In line with his past visits to Mauritius, Kuwait, Brazil, and Laos, where cultural exchanges like the offering of Triveni Sangam water or Ramayana translations highlighted Bharat’s outreach, the Thailand visit too focused on the unifying threads of Dharma, heritage, and historical depth.
During his interaction with Thai leadership, several key MoUs were signed. These included cooperation in digital technologies, developing the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Gujarat (a nod to Bharat’s ancient maritime legacy), and joint promotion of MSMEs and creative industries. Bharat and Thailand elevated their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership in a significant step, aligning perfectly with Bharat’s “Act East” and Thailand’s “Act West” policies.
Reviving dharmic civilisation through global cultural engagement
PM Modi’s message in Thailand was clear—Bharat’s cultural diplomacy is not soft but sovereign. At the Samvad global dialogue forum, conceived with former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, Modi spoke of Dharma and Dhamma as timeless tools for peace and sustainability. He emphasized that Bharat’s values—from the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha to the Vedas—offer answers to global conflicts, ecological crises, and spiritual voids.
This is not an isolated campaign but a consistent cultural resurgence. During his 2025 visit to Mauritius, Modi offered sacred water at Ganga Talao. In Russia, Krishna Bhajans echoed in Kazan. In Laos, the Gayatri Mantra opened diplomatic ceremonies. Across continents, Bharat’s cultural footprint, rooted in its eternal traditions, is gaining reverence and recognition.
PM Modi’s cultural diplomacy has revived pride in Bharatiya identity and shattered decades of cultural self-doubt inflicted by colonial and secular distortions. The Thailand-Bharat connection is not just a modern political alliance—it is the revival of an ancient spiritual familial ties bound together by Dharma. From the sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha being honored in Thai cities to the shared veneration of the Ramayana, Bharat is reawakening its natural sphere of influence through cultural integrity and spiritual strength.
As the world looks for stable anchors in an age of turbulence, Bharat, under Modi, stands as a pillar of timeless wisdom, peace, and cultural dignity. This is not diplomacy—it is Dharma in action.
