Tripura joins the Northeastern Buddhist Circuit as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces a major tourism and heritage development scheme in Union Budget 2026-27, boosting cultural tourism, pilgrimage infrastructure, and economic growth across Northeast India.
Tripura is set to emerge as a key spiritual and tourism destination in Northeast India after the Union Government announced its inclusion in a proposed Buddhist Circuit development scheme, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said during her Union Budget 2026–27 speech on Sunday.
Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Sitharaman outlined a comprehensive plan to develop Buddhist circuits across six northeastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura — as part of a broader strategy to promote cultural tourism, preserve heritage, and boost regional economic growth.
The Finance Minister described the northeastern region as a unique “civilisational confluence” of Theravada and Mahayana or Vajrayana traditions of Buddhism, emphasizing its historical and spiritual importance. She noted that the proposed scheme would focus on preserving ancient monasteries and temples while upgrading facilities for pilgrims and tourists.
“I propose to launch a scheme for the development of Buddhist circuits in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. The scheme will cover preservation of temples and monasteries, pilgrimage interpretation centres, and pilgrim amenities,” Sitharaman said in her Budget address.
Boost for Tripura’s Cultural Tourism
Tripura’s inclusion in the Buddhist Circuit is expected to significantly enhance the state’s tourism profile. The state is home to several lesser-known but historically important Buddhist sites, reflecting its long-standing cultural ties with Southeast Asia and neighboring regions. Improved infrastructure and targeted promotion could help Tripura attract both domestic and international Buddhist pilgrims.
Tourism experts believe the move will not only boost visitor footfall but also create employment opportunities for local communities through hospitality, transport, handicrafts, and allied services.
Many northeastern states, including Tripura, are endowed with centuries-old monasteries, archaeological remains, and spiritual landmarks that have remained underdeveloped due to connectivity challenges and limited investment. The new scheme aims to address these gaps by integrating heritage preservation with modern tourism facilities.
Part of a Larger Eastern India Vision
The Buddhist Circuit announcement is aligned with the Centre’s broader Purvodaya initiative, which focuses on the all-round development of eastern India. Sitharaman also announced the creation of five tourism destinations in five Purvodaya states, alongside major infrastructure investments.
“I propose the development of an East Coast Industrial Corridor with a well-connected node at Durgapur, creation of five tourism destinations in five Purvodaya states, and the provision of 4,000 e-buses,” the Finance Minister said.
The Purvodaya initiative, launched under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, aims to transform eastern India into a major engine of economic growth. It focuses on human resource development, infrastructure expansion, industrial growth, and improved connectivity across Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
Although Tripura is not a Purvodaya state, its inclusion in the Buddhist Circuit highlights the Centre’s intent to integrate the Northeast more closely into national development frameworks.
Strengthening India’s Soft Power
The Buddhist Circuit project is also seen as a strategic move to strengthen India’s cultural diplomacy and soft power, particularly with Buddhist-majority countries in Asia. Improved pilgrimage routes and heritage conservation can enhance India’s global image as the birthplace and guardian of Buddhist traditions.
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With the government prioritizing tourism-led growth and cultural heritage preservation, Tripura’s participation in the Northeastern Buddhist Circuit could mark a turning point for the state’s economy and international visibility.
