A six member delegation led by Minister of Religious Affairs of China, Mr. Wang Zuoan met the Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma in New Delhi today. Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Mr. Ravindra Singh and other senior officers of the Ministry of Culture were present in the meeting. Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that Buddhism is the binding force between the two countries and India values the common cultural relations with China especially those based on Buddhist links. India is keen to take forward its relationship with China and it is in this background that India is keenly exploring the possibility of extending the facility of Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) to China, he said.
Wang Zuoan said that during the visit of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to China the focus was on cultural exchange between the two countries. Mr. Wang Zuoan said that the purpose of his visit to India is to take the cooperation between the two countries further especially in the area of Buddhist studies and exchange. The Buddhist Forum is being held in China in October this year to promote research and Budhist studies, he added. Both sides agreed to work towards holding a jointly curated exhibition on Xuang Zang (Hsuan tsang) in India and China . India has also proposed to host Virtual Museums on Indian Culture on Chinese platforms.
DG, ASI and DG, National Museum will visit China for the purpose of academics and research on the cave murals of Aurangabad (Ajanta& Ellora) & Dunhuang (China). India also requested China to provide Buddhist texts, if any, in Chinese Temples to India for translation into Sanskrit. Secretary, Culture, Mr. Ravindra Singh informed that an exhibition on Buddhist Art was recently held in Shanghai and was visited by 3 lakh people. An exhibition of Modern Art will be organised soon in Guangzhou by NGMA of Ministry of Culture.