India’s Soft Power – Repatriation of Piprahwa Relics and the Diplomacy of Peace

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• The Prime Minister of India inaugurated “The Light and The Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One”, an international exposition of the sacred Piprahwa relics associated with Lord Buddha in New Delhi. 
• The event coincided with the recent repatriation of priceless Buddhist relics that had been taken out of India during the colonial period and were nearly auctioned abroad.
• The episode highlights India’s approach to cultural diplomacy, heritage protection, repatriation of antiquities, and Buddhist soft power.

Significance of the PM’s Message

• Strength with humanity:
  • The PM emphasised that strength is necessary against “enemies of humanity”, but dialogue and peace are essential where disputes exist.
  • This reflects India’s foreign policy doctrine of strategic restraint combined with moral leadership.
• Buddha’s philosophy as India’s core worldview:
  • Buddha’s idea of “walking together instead of conflict and dominance” was described as India’s guiding philosophy in the 21st century.
  • The principle of “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” (welfare and happiness of all) was reiterated as India’s civilisational ethos.

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Piprahwa Relics – Historical Background

• What are the Piprahwa gems: Excavated in 1898 by William Claxton Peppé from a Buddhist stupa at Piprahwa (Siddharthnagar district, Uttar Pradesh), near Nepal.
• Include: 349 gemstones (pearls, rubies, sapphires, topaz, gold sheets). Bone fragments and ash believed to be of Lord Buddha. Reliquaries, sandstone coffers, soapstone and crystal caskets.
• Colonial-era dispossession:
• • Under the Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878, the British Crown claimed most relics.
  • A portion remained with the Peppé family and was held privately for over 127 years.

Rescue from Auction and Repatriation (2025)

• Threat of auction:
  • Sotheby’s Hong Kong listed the relics for auction in 2025, with an estimated value of over $100 million.
  • The relics were treated as “antique collectibles”, ignoring their religious and civilisational value.
• India’s response:
  • The Ministry of Culture issued a legal notice demanding cessation of the auction.
  • Asserted that the relics are inalienable religious and cultural heritage protected under Indian law and international conventions.
  • Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and diplomatic channels were activated.
• Innovative resolution:
  • Godrej Group purchased the collection. Relics were returned to India, and loaned to the National Museum for five years.
  • This avoided ethical issues of the State commercially purchasing sacred antiquities.

Shared Buddhist Heritage and India’s Soft Power

• Global spiritual connect:
  • Relics inspired millions of devotees during exhibitions in Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Russia, etc.
  • The PM noted that Indian officials were respected globally as representatives of the “Land of Buddha”.
• Symbolic diplomacy:
  • India gifted Bodhi tree saplings to countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia.
  • Special mention – A Bodhi tree in Hiroshima, symbolising peace after nuclear devastation.

Preservation of Buddhist Heritage

• International efforts:
  • Restoration of 11 pagodas in Bagan (Myanmar).
  • Assistance to Nepal after earthquake damage to heritage sites.
• Domestic initiatives:
  • Development of a Buddhist Circuit connecting key pilgrimage sites.
  • Promotion of Pali as a classical language.
  • Infrastructure projects to improve accessibility and conservation of Buddhist sites.

Challenges and Way Ahead

• Colonial-era legal ambiguities over ownership: Strengthen international cooperation on cultural property protection.
• Grey areas in international law: Proactively use soft power and diplomacy for heritage repatriation.
• Commercialisation of sacred objects by auction houses: Balance legal, ethical, and spiritual considerations in recovery efforts.
• Limited enforceability: Of UNESCO conventions for pre-1970 removals. Create a comprehensive global database of stolen/alienated Indian antiquities. Expand cultural diplomacy through Buddhism, yoga, and civilisational narratives.

Conclusion

• The return of the Piprahwa relics is more than a recovery of antiquities—it is a civilisational reclamation. 
• By blending moral authority, legal assertion, cultural diplomacy, and innovative partnerships, India has reaffirmed its role as the custodian and living carrier of Buddha’s legacy.
• The episode reinforces India’s global image as a nation that seeks peace through dialogue, strength with restraint, and unity through shared heritage—a message deeply relevant to both contemporary geopolitics and India’s ancient wisdom.

Source: TH  | IE