As Ram Temple is being built in India, People of Nepal equally happy, says PM Modi

New Delhi, May 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that India and Nepal's ever-strengthening friendship and their closeness will benefit the entire humanity in the emerging global situation.

Addressing at Buddha Jayanti event in Lumbini, Nepal, PM Modi said,''I have been getting the opportunity in the past to visit the divine places associated with Lord Buddha on the day of Vaishakh Purnima and for other related events.''

''Today, at India's friend Nepal, I had the privilege of visiting Lumbini, the holy birthplace of Lord Buddha in Nepal, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

''The opportunity that I got to visit the Mayadevi temple is also unforgettable for me. The place where Lord Buddha himself took birth, the energy there, the consciousness there, it is a different feeling,'' PM Modi said at Buddh Jayanti Event in Lumbini

''In Janakpur I had said that "Our Ram is also incomplete without Nepal". Today I know as the grand temple of Lord Shri Ram is being built in India, the people of Nepal are equally happy,'' he further said.

"India and Nepal's ever-strengthening friendship and our closeness will benefit the entire humanity in the kind of global conditions that are emerging," Modi said while addressing the International Buddhist Conference here.

Prime Minister Modi, who attended the 2566th Buddha Jayanti Celebration at International Convention Center and Meditation Hall at Lumbini, was accompanied by his Nepalese counterpart Deuba and his spouse Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba. Several Nepalese ministers were among the other dignitaries present.

"Buddha is the embodiment of the collective understanding of humanity," Modi told the gathering that included monks, Buddhist scholars and international participants.

Lumbini, located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal, is one of the holiest places of Buddhism, as Lord Buddha was born there.

Nepalese PM Sher Bahadur Deuba began his speech at Buddha Jayanti event in Lumbini by welcoming PM Modi

"Extremely happy today to welcome PM Modi to this sacred land of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha - the apostle of peace. Delighted to have the presence of PM Modi at this special ceremony in this sacred land," he said.

Earlier in the ay, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba in Lumbini - the birthplace of Gautam Buddha - during which they discussed ways to strengthen ongoing cooperation and develop new areas in the multifaceted bilateral partnership.

Modi, who is in the Himalayan nation at the invitation of Deuba on a day-long visit to Lumbini on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, met Deuba after offering prayers at the sacred Maya Devi temple.