An official visit by a representative of the Republic of Kalmykia took place in the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal — one of the key centers of global Buddhism. The visit highlighted Kalmykia’s unique role as a Buddhist region in Europe and its function as a bridge between Russia and the Buddhist world of Asia, contributing to people’s diplomacy and strategic international cooperation.
As part of the visit, a meeting was held with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli. The two sides discussed promising areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the humanitarian sphere. A significant outcome was the agreement to establish a partnership between B.B. Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University and one of Nepal’s leading universities. This initiative will lay the foundation for sustainable academic exchange, joint research projects, and enhanced intercultural dialogue, especially in the field of Buddhist studies.
Special attention was given to the spiritual and historical-cultural connections between Kalmyk and Nepalese Buddhism. A symbol of this relationship is the opening of a Buddhist stupa in Lumbini — the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha — as a gift from the people of Kalmykia. The project was carried out with the support of the Central Spiritual Administration of Buddhists and through the initiative of Geshe Yonten and Oleg Bartunov.
Both sides expressed interest in developing pilgrimage routes to sacred Buddhist sites. This area of cooperation is seen not only as spiritually important but also as culturally and economically beneficial, fostering mutual tourism and stronger ties between Buddhist communities.
The Kalmyk delegation extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Nepal to visit Kalmykia and take part in the 3rd International Buddhist Forum, which will be held in Elista with the support of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.
The delegation expressed gratitude to the Government of Nepal for the warm welcome and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, contributing to a shared future of spiritual, scientific, and cultural cooperation.
As part of the visit, a meeting was held with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli. The two sides discussed promising areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the humanitarian sphere. A significant outcome was the agreement to establish a partnership between B.B. Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University and one of Nepal’s leading universities. This initiative will lay the foundation for sustainable academic exchange, joint research projects, and enhanced intercultural dialogue, especially in the field of Buddhist studies.
Special attention was given to the spiritual and historical-cultural connections between Kalmyk and Nepalese Buddhism. A symbol of this relationship is the opening of a Buddhist stupa in Lumbini — the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha — as a gift from the people of Kalmykia. The project was carried out with the support of the Central Spiritual Administration of Buddhists and through the initiative of Geshe Yonten and Oleg Bartunov.
Both sides expressed interest in developing pilgrimage routes to sacred Buddhist sites. This area of cooperation is seen not only as spiritually important but also as culturally and economically beneficial, fostering mutual tourism and stronger ties between Buddhist communities.
The Kalmyk delegation extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Nepal to visit Kalmykia and take part in the 3rd International Buddhist Forum, which will be held in Elista with the support of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.
The delegation expressed gratitude to the Government of Nepal for the warm welcome and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, contributing to a shared future of spiritual, scientific, and cultural cooperation.