Tuesday, April 12 2005 09:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Seeking to carry forward the Indo-China Buddhist cultural links, the two countries yesterday (Apr 11, 2005) signed a memorandum on the joint construction of an Indian-style Buddhist temple in Luoyang in China.

The temple will be constructed in the International Garden of the Luoyang White Horse Temple.

Signed by the Ambassador of India to China Nalin Surie and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, the memorandum envisages that India would provide the Buddha idol and other accompanying materials for the temple.

The Indian side will also be responsible for providing the main architectural design of the temple, its blue print, material used for the temple and the landscape planning.

China on its part will provide 2,666.67 square metres of land for constructing the temple.

It will also be responsible for advising and offering suggestions for the construction of the temple, obtaining the support and approval of Chinese Government, Henan Provincial Government and the local administration and to handle all relevant procedures and formalities.

The Chinese side will also facilitate the visits of experts and architects of the Indian side to visit the project site to supervise and inspect the quality of the work.