Patna: A special meeting was held on Friday between the Indian Embassy in Cambodia, the Union tourism ministry and Bihar’s tourism department to strengthen cooperation and promote travel to the state’s Buddhist circuit.
The meeting, conducted via video conference from Cambodia, was attended by Bihar tourism secretary Nilesh Ramchandra Deore, special secretary and director Udayan Mishra, joint director Rajesh Roshan and other departmental officials.
Addressing Cambodian government representatives, tourism investors and stakeholders through a presentation, Deore said Bihar remained a global centre of Buddhism, where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment and delivered teachings that shaped spiritual traditions across Asia.
He outlined key Buddhist sites across the state, including Rampurwa, Lauriya Nandangarh, Areraj, Kesaria, Vaishali, Patna, Bhagalpur, Vanavar in Jehanabad, Nalanda, Rajgir and Bodhgaya. He said the state government was investing in infrastructure and visitor facilities at these locations.
Among the projects highlighted were plans for a corridor in Bodhgaya, construction of replicas of stupas at Kesaria, Buddha Samyak Stupa in Vaishali, the Pataliputra Karuna Stupa and Vipassana Centre in Patna, the beautification of Venuvan in Rajgir, and the ongoing renovation of Vikramshila University in Bhagalpur.
Deore noted that Cambodia, with a population of about 18 million and a Buddhist majority, represented a significant source market for spiritual tourism. He invited Cambodian tourists to consider itineraries ranging from 10 to 30 days covering major Buddhist destinations in Bihar.
The tourism department is also working on plans to open a Cambodian restaurant in Bodhgaya to cater to visitors and deepen cultural ties, he said.
“We will fully support all activities undertaken by the Cambodian government, whether organising familiarisation trips, planning mega events or participating in travel and trade fairs,” Deore said, proposing initiatives such as a “Know Bihar” programme and a joint branding exercise linking Angkor Wat with Bodhgaya.
Cambodian representatives responded positively to the proposals, officials said, signalling the possibility of closer tourism collaboration between the two regions rooted in their shared Buddhist heritage.
