The Indian Air Force today carried sacred relics of Lord Buddha to Mongolia. The IAF’s IL-76 – a Russian-origin transport plane – was used to ferry the relics which will be on display with full ceremonial honours in Mongolia from June 1 to June 10.
The IAF in a post on X said: “IL-76 became a symbol of cultural diplomacy and India’s enduring civilisational outreach, airlifting the sacred relics of Lord Buddha from Delhi to Mongolia on May 30.”
Revered across the Buddhist world as symbols of wisdom, compassion and enlightenment, the holy relics carry deep significance for Mongolia. Their exposition further strengthens the centuries-old spiritual bond between India and Mongolia — nations connected through the shared legacy of Buddhism.
“For the Indian Air Force, this mission carried not just priceless relics, but faith, heritage and friendship across continents,” the IAF said.
The Indian delegation carrying the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha’s two principal disciples, Arhant Sariputra and Arhant Maudgalyayana, will be in Mongolia for 10 days.
The exposition, organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, will run from June 1 to June 10. Thousands of devotees, Buddhist monks, scholars and spiritual followers from across Mongolia are expected to pay homage to the relics during the event.
The initiative has been undertaken at the special instance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of India’s continuing efforts to deepen its civilisational and spiritual connections with Mongolia, a nation often seen as India’s “spiritual neighbour" in the Buddhist world.
The sacred relics are preserved at the Sanchi Vihar Chaitya in Madhya Pradesh and originate from the historic Sanchi Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most revered centres of Buddhist heritage in the world.
This is not the first time India has extended such a gesture through its Buddhist heritage. In 2024, holy relics were sent to Thailand in a similar initiative. Mongolia marks the second such international exposition, underscoring India’s growing use of shared spiritual heritage as an instrument of cultural diplomacy. The visit comes as India continues to strengthen its outreach to Buddhist-majority and Buddhist-heritage nations, a strategic thread running through its broader neighbourhood and cultural diplomacy in Asia.
