A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed virtually between the Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture department and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) , New Delhi, at Paryatan Bhawan in Lucknow on Tuesday. The aim is to propagate Buddhism and Buddhist culture with mutual cooperation domestically as well as at global level. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said Uttar Pradesh has the richest Buddhist heritage and maximum potential for Buddhist tourism. Tourist places and tourist facilities are being continuously developed here. Lakhs of Buddhist pilgrims and tourists from Southeast Asia visit here every year, he said. The Tourism and Culture department will collaborate and identify Buddhist sites across the state along with providing all the necessary land, permissions and rights to the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) for attracting tourists globally and ensuring their overall development. Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Mukesh Kumar Meshram said that with the help of IBC, the rich Buddhist heritage of the state would be promoted and disseminated at the international level. In order to attract world tourists to the state, it has also been agreed upon to hold seminars, functions, fairs and celebrate Buddhist festivals like Ashadh Purnima, Buddha Purnima, etc simultaneously to give a fillip to tourism in the state. Director general Abhijit Halder said that the International Buddhist Confederation was in touch with about 40 countries and that awareness would be spread about tourist places associated with Lord Buddha there. Special Secretary, Tourism, Ashwini Kumar Pandey and director Prakhar Mishra were also present on the occasion.  

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