Lok Sabha Question No. 4104 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Cultural and Religious Bonds with South-east Asian Countries
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

## GOVERNENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CUTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4104

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS BONDS WITH SOUTH-EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES

4104. Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai:

Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state :

- (a) whether it is a fact that a number of our old religious or historical books describes our rich  century  old  cultural  and  religious  ties  with  some  South-east  Asian  countries  like Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam etc.;
- (b) if so, the details of the reference thereof; and
- (c)     whether the Government has made any diplomatic efforts to re- claim our cultural ties with them and to enhance people to people relations and bonding for friendship with the people and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) Various ancient religious and historical texts and sources, which are part of Ministry of Culture's archival and research collections, contain numerous references to India's enduring cultural and religious linkages with South-East Asian countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam. These connections span over centuries  and  are  evidenced  through  the  spread  of  Indian  philosophical  systems,  religious practices (especially Hinduism and Buddhism), epics, temple architecture, iconography, and performing arts across the region.

Religious  and  spiritual  works  of  ancient  and  medieval  India,  especially  the  Ramayana,  had extensive influence on the culture of South East Asia and Far East. In the medieval period, India  and  the  countries  of  South  East  Asia  maintained  maritime  relations  and  in  many countries of South East Asia even today one can find the influence of Indian culture. Further,

Buddhism, which was born in India had an absolute influence on the culture of almost all the South East Asian countries. The Indian artistic style, especially from the Gupta Empire period influenced architecture and art. Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia is a prime example of Indian influence on Southeast Asian architecture and art.

(b) Indira  Gandhi  National  Centre  for  the  Arts  (IGNCA),  as  a  premier  research  and documentation  institution  under  the  Ministry  of  Culture,  has  undertaken  detailed  studies, exhibitions,  and publications  highlighting  these  cultural  exchanges.  Notable  references include:

-  Epigraphic records and Sanskrit inscriptions in  Cambodia  and  Indonesia,  which  are studied and preserved by this Institution's Kalā Kośa Division .
-  Research on the Ramayana tradition in South-East Asia ,  including  variants  found  in Thailand, Indonesia (Kakawin Ramayana), Cambodia (Reamker), and Laos.
-  The documentation  of  iconographic  and  architectural  similarities between  Indian temples and monuments in countries like Cambodia (Angkor Wat), Indonesia (Borobudur and Prambanan), and Vietnam (My Son).
-  Archival  materials  and  rare  manuscripts  from  IGNCA's  repositories  trace  ancient maritime and cultural exchanges.

Sahitya  Akademi,  as  an  India's  premier  literary  institution  working  under  the  Ministry  of Culture, has published the Valmiki Ramayana in Thai language as Ramakien with changes to suit local cultural milieu. Same was published in Sanskrit as Sri Ramakriti Mahakvya by Satya Vrat  Shastri  and  Sahitya  Akademi  published  Tamil  translation  of  the  book,  Sri  Ramakirthi Maha Kaaviyam, translated by Rajalakshmi Srinivasan. Apart from that, the influence of the Ramayana in  those  cultures  can  be  gleaned  from  the  following  books  published  by  Sahitya Akademi:

-  The Ramayana Traditions in Asia edited by Dr V. Raghavan
-  Asian Variations in Ramayana edited by Dr K. R. Srinivasa Iyengar
-  A  Critical  Inventory  of  Ramayana  Studies  in  the  World,  Vol  1  &  2,  edited  by  K. Krishnamoorthy
-  Ramayana in South East Asia, Vol. 1 & 2, edited by Dr Satya Vrat Shastri

The  Ramayana  Traditions  in  Asia  throws  light  on  how  deep  Ramayana  has  influenced  the cultures of South East Asia.

The Cholas, especially Rajendra Chola I conquered most of the regions of the far east and due to his influence, the philosophy of Saiva Siddhanta entered those countries. He also maintained maritime trade relations with these countries.

That is the reason names of many Hindu gods find place in these countries.

Religious texts and epigraphic evidence highlight the deep religious and cultural connections between  India  and  Southeast  Asia.  For  instance,  the Dipavamsa records  the  transmission  of Buddhism  from  India  to  Sri  Lanka,  facilitated  by  Sanghamitta  and  Mahendra.  Inscriptions such  as  the  Veal  Kantel  inscription  from  Cambodia  further  reflect  this  cultural  diffusion;  it documents  that  a  Khmer  king  installed  a linga named  Tribhuvaneshvara  and  offered  the Ramayana and  the Puranas to  temple  priests  for  recitation,  indicating  the  presence  and reverence of Indian epics in the region. Similarly, the Yupa inscriptions of King Mulavarman in  Indonesia  detail  Vedic  and  Puranic  rituals,  demonstrating  the  assimilation  of  Indian religious  practices.  Additionally,  the  Devanika  inscription  at  Vat  Phou  in  Laos  provides  the earliest known reference to the creation of Kurukshetra as Dharmakshetra beyond the Indian subcontinent. This inscription is particularly noteworthy as it contains verses that align with the Kurukshetra Mahatmya section of the Mahabharata .

(c)  IGNCA has  actively  contributed  to  the  Government's  broader  diplomatic  and  cultural initiatives to revive and strengthen India's civilization ties with South-East Asia through:

-  Organizing international seminars, cultural exhibitions, and academic conferences on Indo-Southeast Asian heritage and religious linkages.
-  Collaborative  projects  and  academic  exchanges  with  cultural  institutions  in  Southeast Asian countries.
-  Participation  in  the Festival  of  India and Ramayana  Festivals abroad  by  curating exhibitions and sending scholars or performers.
-  The Cultural  Informatics  Lab at  IGNCA  has  also  digitized  and  created  virtual exhibitions showcasing Indo-ASEAN cultural links, aiding in wider dissemination and public engagement.
-  Such  activities  directly  contribute  to  fostering people-to-people  contacts ,  scholarly collaboration, and cultural diplomacy in alignment with India's Act East Policy .  Key Southeast Asia-Focused Initiatives are at Annexure I.

Archaeological Survey of lndia (ASl) has under taken the conservation and restoration works with the collaboration of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in the following countries :

-  My Son Temple and Nehan Tower-Vietnam.
-  Vat Phou Temple- Laos
-  Earthquake Damaged Temples and Pagodas, Bagan- Myanmar
-  Preah Vihear and Ta Prohm- Cambodia
-  Frida Mosque, Male - Maldives

The Brihattar  Bharat policy,  envisioned  by  the  Government,  highlights  India's  cultural influence on Southeast Asia by tracing shared heritage through historical connections. This influence is evident in the vast number of Sanskrit inscriptions found across Southeast Asia, which reflect Indian culture, religion, art, and traditions. However, many of these inscriptions remain unexplored.

In alignment with this vision, the Department of Palaeography, Epigraphy & Numismatics has launched a project titled Sanskrit and Pali Inscriptions of Southeast Asia . The project aims to systematically document, analyze, and interpret these inscriptions, showcasing India's cultural ties  with  the  region.  With  proper  funding,  this  initiative  has  the  potential  to  significantly deepen our understanding of  India's  historical  connections  with  Southeast  Asia.  As  part  of this  effort,  the  Department  also  organized  an  international  seminar, Engraved in  Stone  and Metal:  Indian  Imprints  on  Southeast  Asian  Inscriptions  and  Coins ,  held  from  18th  to  23rd November  2024  at  the  Indian  Institute  of  Heritage,  Noida.  The  seminar  brought  together leading  scholars  from  India  and  Thailand  in  the  fields  of  Epigraphy  and  Numismatics.  It marked  a  major  academic  event,  being  one  of  the  first  international  gatherings  focused exclusively on Southeast Asian epigraphy and coinage.

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## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (C) OF LOK SAHBA UNSTARRED QUESITON No. 4104  FOR 18.08.2025  REGARDING  'CULTURAL  AND  RELIGIOUS BONDS WITH SOUTH-EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES'

ANNEXURE I Key Southeast Asia-Focused Initiatives

|   S.No | Title/Project/Activity                                             | Country/Region Focus                                | Description                                                                                                                                                                           |
|--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|      1 | International Conference on Ramayana Traditions in South-East Asia | Multi-country (Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos) | IGNCA organized academic seminars and discussions on the spread, adaptation, and influence of the Ramayana in Southeast Asian cultures.                                               |
|      2 | Exhibition on "Ramayana in Southeast Asia"                         | ASEAN Countries                                     | A curated visual and textual exhibition depicting local Ramayana adaptations like Reamker (Cambodia), Kakawin Ramayana (Indonesia), and Ramakien (Thailand).                          |
|      3 | Documentation of Indian Architectural Influence in Southeast Asia  | Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam                        | IGNCA has supported photographic documentation and scholarly study of sites such as Angkor Wat, Borobudur, and My Son temples, focusing on Indic iconography and sacred architecture. |

|   4. | Digitization of Southeast Asian manuscripts and epigraphy                   | Various                | Through Kalāsampadā and the Cultural Informatics Lab, IGNCA has digitized inscriptions and texts linked to Indian traditions preserved in Southeast Asia. co-   |
|------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    5 | Conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage (in collaboration with ICCR and IBC) | Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam | IGNCA organized thematic panels and exhibitions on early Buddhist transmission from India to Southeast Asia.                                                    |
|    6 | Participation in ASEAN- India Cultural Exchange Programmes                  | ASEAN countries        | IGNCA scholars and artists have participated in festivals, exhibitions, and cultural missions under MEA-MoC collaboration.                                      |
|    7 | Publication: "Cultural Interface of India with Southeast Asia"              | Pan-ASEAN              | A publication (print and digital) covering trade, religion, maritime links, and shared iconography between India and Southeast Asia.                            |
|    8 | Bilateral MoUs and Academic Collaboration                                   | Indonesia, Cambodia    | IGNCA has initiated or participated in institutional partnerships to promote Indo- ASEAN cultural research and training.                                        |

|   9. | India-ASEAN Virtual Museum (under discussion/proposal stage)   | Digital Project             | IGNCA is exploring a collaborative virtual museum model to showcase shared cultural heritage with Southeast Asian nations.         |
|------|----------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   10 | Exhibition support for 'Festival of India' abroad              | Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam | IGNCA has curated thematic content and lent archival materials for cultural diplomacy events organized by the Ministry of Culture. |

These initiatives reflect IGNCA's integral role in academic, archival, and cultural diplomacy efforts to revive and promote India's deep-rooted civilizational connections with Southeast Asia.