There was a time when India did not need aircraft carriers, trade wars, or strategic alliances to influence Asia. It sent monks, not missiles; ideas, not invasions. From the reign of Ashoka to the intellectual brilliance of Nalanda, India shaped Asia not through power, but through philosophy. Today, as Asia becomes the centre of global geopolitics, India stands at a moment of reckoning – because the very civilisational force that once connected this vast continent still exists, waiting to be rediscovered. That force is Buddhism. And if India has the clarity to recognise it, Buddhism can once again become India’s most powerful bridge across Asia.
Let us start with facts, not sentiment. Asia is not just influenced by Buddhism – it is defined by it. Nearly 97% of the world’s Buddhists live in Asia, and globally there are over 320 million followers of the faith. In Southeast Asia alone, between 190 to 205 million people practice Buddhism, accounting for more than a third of the global Buddhist population. Countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka are not merely Buddhist-majority nations; they are deeply rooted in Buddhist civilisational values. Further east, nations like Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia carry strong Mahayana Buddhist traditions. This is not a scattered demographic. This is a vast, interconnected civilisational ecosystem stretching across the Indo-Pacific.
And at the heart of this ecosystem lies India – not as a participant, but as the origin. Buddhism was born here, under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The first sermon was delivered in Sarnath. The Mahaparinirvana took place in Kushinagar. Every sacred milestone that defines Buddhism is rooted in Indian soil. This gives India something no other nation can replicate – civilisational authenticity. Others may practice Buddhism, interpret it, or institutionalise it, but India is its source. And in geopolitics, origin carries a legitimacy that cannot be manufactured.
In the 21st century, influence is no longer defined only by economic or military strength. It is also shaped by what scholars call soft power – the ability to influence through attraction, culture, and values. Long before the term was coined, India mastered this art. Buddhism is India’s most natural soft power asset. Its principles – peace, non-violence, mindfulness, coexistence – resonate across cultures and political systems. It is a language that Asia already understands. When India speaks through Buddhism, it does not sound foreign. It sounds familiar.
But here is the uncomfortable truth – while India possesses this immense civilisational advantage, it has not fully leveraged it. Others have. China, despite not being the birthplace of Buddhism, has aggressively invested in what can only be described as Buddhist diplomacy. It has funded monasteries, hosted international Buddhist forums, and positioned itself as a key player in shaping Buddhist narratives across Asia. Meanwhile, India has often treated Buddhism as a matter of heritage rather than strategy. That is not just a missed opportunity – it is a strategic oversight.
Look at Asia through a geopolitical lens, and the importance of Buddhism becomes even clearer. India’s Act East Policy, its Indo-Pacific ambitions, and its regional partnerships all intersect with Buddhist-majority or Buddhist-influenced nations. Sri Lanka and Bhutan in South Asia; Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar in Southeast Asia; Japan and South Korea in East Asia – these are not just strategic partners, they are civilisational cousins. Buddhism provides a shared vocabulary that transcends diplomacy. It builds trust where treaties often struggle.
Then there is the economic dimension. India sits on what can only be described as a spiritual goldmine – the Buddhist circuit. Sites like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Rajgir, and Nalanda are among the most sacred destinations for Buddhists worldwide. Millions of pilgrims visit these sites every year, particularly from Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar. Yet, despite hosting the holiest Buddhist sites on earth, India attracts fewer Buddhist tourists than countries like Thailand. This is not due to lack of interest – it is due to lack of infrastructure, coordination, and vision. If developed properly, Buddhist tourism could generate billions in revenue while simultaneously strengthening India’s diplomatic outreach.
There is also a deeper strategic layer that India must recognise. Buddhism is not just about religion – it is about narrative. In a world where global influence is increasingly shaped by stories, symbols, and identity, Buddhism offers India a powerful narrative of peace and moral leadership. It positions India not as a hegemon, but as a guide. Not as a power seeking dominance, but as a civilisation offering direction.
However, India must also confront an internal contradiction. Despite being the birthplace of Buddhism, it has a relatively small Buddhist population – around 8 to 9 million people. This creates a disconnect between India’s global Buddhist identity and its domestic reality. To truly lead, India must not just promote Buddhism abroad, but nurture its philosophical and cultural relevance at home. This does not mean religious conversion; it means embracing Buddhist values as part of India’s broader civilisational ethos.
India also holds a unique moral advantage through its association with Dalai Lama, who resides in India. This gives New Delhi a position of immense respect in the global Buddhist community. Yet, this advantage remains underutilised. In a world where China is attempting to control and redefine Buddhist institutions, India has the opportunity to offer an alternative—one rooted in freedom, authenticity, and spiritual integrity.
What then must India do? The answer is not complicated, but it requires intent. Invest in world-class infrastructure across the Buddhist circuit. Transform Nalanda into a global centre of Buddhist learning once again. Create seamless travel and visa systems for pilgrims. Host international Buddhist summits that bring together leaders, scholars, and monks from across Asia. Most importantly, position Buddhism not as a relic of the past, but as a strategic pillar of India’s foreign policy.
India today stands at a moment that echoes the choice once faced by Ashoka after the Kalinga war. Will it define its influence purely through hard power – military strength, economic scale, geopolitical manoeuvring? Or will it rediscover the power of ideas? Ashoka chose Dhamma, and in doing so, he shaped the course of Asian history for centuries. India today has the opportunity to make a similar choice.
Buddhism is not just a spiritual tradition. It is a bridge – connecting nations, cultures, and histories across Asia. It builds trust without coercion, influence without intimidation, and unity without uniformity. In a continent increasingly marked by competition and conflict, India can offer something rare – a shared civilisational foundation rooted in peace.
But this will not happen by default. It will require vision, investment, and above all, the confidence to reclaim what is already India’s own. If India gets this right, it will not just reconnect with Asia – it will lead it.
