Ho Chi Minh City, May 5 -- India sending Holy Relics of Lord Buddha to Vietnam "is a special gesture" by the government and lakhs of devotees have paid their respects and highlights the deep spiritual link between the two countries, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said.

The Union Minister also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made efforts to bring all the Buddhist countries closer to India.

"This particular journey of taking the relics of Lord Buddha to Vietnam is a special gesture by the Government of India because it is the first official delegation with the relics of Lord Buddha... So it is not only the entire Buddhist community but also the Vietnamese government that is expressing deep gratitude to the Government of ...