Bhubaneswar: Governor S.C. Jamir expressed pride that Odisha was taking centre-stage to revive social and cultural integration between eastern India and east Asian countries.

Addressing the valedictory ceremony of "Purbasa: East Meets East", Jamir said the international conference supplemented the government's efforts to enhance India's multifaceted engagement with Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and the wider Asia-Pacific region through events and activities.

He said: "The country is very clear in its approach and commitment to build on Asean-India Dialogue partnership that recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary."

"It is a proud moment that the land known for its long history of maritime activities of trade and commerce with southeast Asia is taking centre-stage to revive those golden days of economic prosperity and social and cultural integration."

Sri Lanka's minister of Buddha Sasana Gamini Jayawickrama Perera spoke on how the history of Kalinga and Sri Lanka was inseparable. He gave a comparative overview on Buddhism and said 80 per cent students learning Buddhism were now in Sri Lanka. "Issues of tourism, culture, and Buddhism do not stand alone, but are strongly related to economy, polity and defence," he said.