China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, visited Sarnath in Varanasi on Monday, paying homage to the site where the Buddha delivered his first sermon roughly 2,500 years ago. Standing by the Dhamek Stupa, Xu described the monument as a symbol of the longstanding cultural and civilizational ties between India and China.
In remarks shared on social media, Xu noted the role of the Tang dynasty monk Xuanzang, whose pilgrimage from China to India helped carry Buddhist teachings back to East Asia. He said the enduring presence of the Dhamek Stupa mirrors the resilience of historical links between the two countries.
The Dhamek Stupa, overseen and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, is a prominent feature of the Sarnath archaeological complex. The current structure, about 141 feet tall, was constructed around 500 CE and replaced an earlier shrine associated with Emperor Ashoka, who erected a monument at the site in 249 BCE.
Xu’s visit and comments follow related outreach from the Chinese Embassy in India on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, when officials highlighted Xuanzang’s journey to Bodh Gaya and Nalanda as an emblem of shared heritage. The Indian Embassy in Beijing also circulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Buddha Purnima greetings, reiterating India’s commitment to the ideals of the Buddha and wishing for greater harmony and togetherness.
President Droupadi Murmu extended similar messages on the festival, offering greetings to citizens and followers of the Buddha worldwide. The exchanges around the holiday underscored cultural connections and the continuing diplomatic exchanges framed around shared historical and religious traditions.
The visit by Ambassador Xu and the accompanying public messages reflect a focus on cultural diplomacy and common historical touchstones as part of broader India-China interactions.
