Ahead of Jinping's visit, PM Modi highlights India's Buddhist heritage

Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the rich heritage of Buddhism, claiming it to be a 'very strong bond between China and India'.

Taking to the miro-blogging site Twitter, Modi today said that he is looking forward to welcoming President Xi Jinping in Ahmedabad. "I am sure his visit will strengthen India-China ties," the Prime Minister said.

Jinping is scheduled to visit Ahmedabad on September 17 as a part of his India trip. A string of events have been planned during the day including visit to the Gandhi Ashram and a quiet dinner by the Sabarmati at the 'Riverfront Park' near Shahi Baug here.

Stressing on the fact that Buddhism indeed is a very strong bond between China and India, Modi said in his tweets that, "Gujarat too has a very rich Budhhist heritage." PM also posted some slides on his twitter account to take us through "Gujarat's rich Buddhist heritage."

The Prime Minister takes a chapter out of history as he says that well-known Chinese traveller Xuanzang(Hiuen Tsang) noted the presence of Buddhist monasteries, monks in parts of Gujarat.

He also recalled that his birthplace has a rich Buddhist heritage, Modi adds that "The place where I was born, Vadnagar too has a rich Buddhist influence including a Monastery."

In his tweets Modi has also mentioned Ashoka, saying, "Ashokan Edict in Junagadh shows Samrat Ashok's reverence towards Buddhism & focuses on social & moral precepts."