NEW DELHI: The diplomatic jousting over a multi-billion dollar plan to redevelop Buddha's birthplace Lumbini in Nepal is turning India's way with the project's South Korean master architect Kwaak Young Hoon strongly backing a role for India. 

In Delhi for the deliberations of the International Buddhist Conference, the MIT trained architect and educationist said India has to be a part of the Lumbini project as Buddha's lived and preached here and his heritage could not be divided by national boundaries. 

"The Indian government and people have a big role to play in redeveloping Lumbini. How can they not? Buddha lived his life in India, attaining enlightenment and preaching here. The link with Lumbini is organic," Kwaak told TOI. 

Kwaak's words will soothe the nerves of Indian authorities who have been concerned ever sinceNepal's communist leader Prachanda agreed to a Chinese proposal in 2012 for a special development zone for Lumbini. 

China's efforts to come across as a major Buddhist centre after failing to stamp out Tibet'scultural and religious beliefs are seen in India as a clear attempt to leverage its influence for geo-political gains at India's expense. 

Former foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh, one of IBC's global envoys, feels Lumbini should not be part of an India-China power struggle or fall victim to the xenophobia of some sections in Nepal. Backing India's role, he said, "Some 2,500 years ago, there was no India or Nepal as we know them. Buddha's life cannot be geographically divided." 

Far from seeing the Lumbini plan as a Chinese bid to present the historical and religious site as a counterweight to Indian Buddhist sites like Bodh Gaya and Sarnath, the Korean scholar dismissed such suggestions as distortions. 

"Whenever something good and great is planned, there are efforts to belittle it. These are demonic plots," Kwaak said. 

Kwaak's presence at the IBC is a coup for its organizers, Delhi-based Asoka Mission headed by Lama Lobsang, who ensured the attendance of top Buddhist leaders from 40-odd nations. The forum is an impressive exhibition of religious and cultural firepower that puts India at the centre of the Buddhist world's concerns. 

As IBC looks at nourishing Buddhist culture and pilgrimage sites, it positions itself as a major platform for all streams of Buddhist thought. "IBC is now an umbrella organization for Buddhist national, international and regional concerns," said Shandong Rimpoche, one of IBC eight presidents.