PM Modi virtually address the 4th edition of SAMVAD in Thailand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed the 4th edition of SAMVAD – the Global Hindu-Buddhist Initiative for Conflict Avoidance and Environmental Consciousness- on 14th February 2025. The Prime Minister addressed the SAMVAD from the United States of America.

Prime Minister Modi was in the United States of America for a two-day official visit on 12 & 13 (14th in India) February 2025.

The 4th edition of the SAMVAD is being held in Bangkok and Ayutthaya—the civilisational twin of Ayodhya in Thailand from 14-17 February 2025.

Ayutthaya, which derives its name from Ayodhya, is an ancient UNESCO heritage city in Thailand. King Uthong founded Ayutthaya in 1350 CE and named the city after Ayodhya. He changed his name to Ramathibodi I in reverence to lord Rama.

The Kingdom was the center of Buddhism and Hinduism in Thailand, and the Thai version of Ramanaya, Ramakien, was composed here.

About the SAMVAD 

The SAMVAD initiative is the brainchild of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. It was established in 2015.

SAMVAD brings together two ancient civilizations, Hinduism and Buddhism, which promote tolerance.

The Conference aims to shift the paradigm of global discourse on conflict and environment from Conflict Resolution to Conflict Avoidance and from Environmental Regulations to Environmental Consciousness. 

It brings together the political, social, and religious leaders of these two civilisations to foster collaboration in achieving the goal of conflict and the environment.

• The first edition of the SAMVAD was held in New Delhi from 3-4 September 2015. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The 2nd edition of SAMVAD was held in Yangon, Myanmar, on 5&6 August 2017.
• The 3rd edition of SAMVAD was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on 6&7 2019.

Who organised the 4th edition of SAMVAD? 

The New Delhi-based Vivekananda International Foundation is the main organiser of the SAMVAD. It organises the SAMVAD in association with the New Delhi-based International Buddhist Confederation and the Tokyo Foundation of Japan.

The 4th edition is being hosted by the Vivekananda International Foundation in association with Bodh Gaya-based Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute, the International Buddhist Confederation, and Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University of Thailand.

Theme of the 4th edition of SAMVAD

The theme of the 4th edition of SAMVAD was -Asian Century of Dharma—Dhamma.

Dharma is a Sanskrit word which in Pali means Dhamma. In Buddhism, Dhamma means the teaching and doctrines of the Lord Buddha, who founded Buddhism.