“Buddhism is amongst the greatest gifts from India stretching back to more than 2500 years and it’s practiced in more than 100 countries today. It’s a strong unifying factor. I have learned in my previous assignment in Sri Lanka and witnessed how strong our shared Buddhist heritage is,” Indian ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said while addressing a gathering on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the govt of India is keen to strengthen the people-to-people linkages weaved through the common thread of Buddhism,” he added.