2. The Secretary General IBC, Ven. Shartse Khensur Janchup Choeden Rinpoche and the Director General IBC, Mr. Abhijit Halder participated in the event interacting with the participating Bhikkus and understanding their approach towards this invigorating exchange between Pali and Sanskrit traditions. The subject has drawn special attention after the declaration of Pali as a classical language by the Government of India. Director General IBC was the Special Guest at opening ceremony of the event. He separately visited different monasteries and interacted with the Abbots and young monks, including at the Gaden Shartse and Gaden Jangtse monasteries.

3. Significantly, since the annual debate session was on at the Gaden Shartse monastery, DG IBC went on a tour of the debating area where hundreds of young monks were engaged in intense debate. DG IBC also met with the Abbots of Gaden, Drepung and Gomang monasteries and discussed a range of issues with them. Secretary General IBC joined Director General IBC at a luncheon meeting hosted by the Abbot of the Drepung Gomang monastery Ven. Khen Rinpoche Geshe Jigmye Gyatso.

4. After completion of the first phase of the Pali Sanskrit exchange program, the delegates arrived in Sri Lanka on January 21 after getting the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on January 20. The second phase of exchange between Pali and Sanskrit will take place in Sri Lanka followed by the third phase in Thailand. They will thereafter continue the third in the series dialogue in Thailand from February 16, 2025.

5. Mundgod is home to several Tibetan universities that uphold the Nalanda tradition. Among these are the Gaden, Drepung, and Loseling monasteries, where around 20,000 Buddhist monks study. The International Pali and Sanskrit Bhikku Exchange Programme was inaugurated in Bodh Gaya in 2022 under the patronage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with the aim of bridging the gap between Buddhist traditions and promoting mutual understanding.