New Delhi, Nov. 12 -- Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Manila for the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has underscored the pivotal role of Nalanda University in bridging ancient civilisational links with contemporary academic and technological collaboration across Southeast Asia.

Briefing reporters on the Prime Minister's schedule and regional priorities, MEA Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon highlighted how the revived international institution in Bihar is evolving into a premier hub for both heritage studies and cutting-edge disciplines.

"On Nalanda University, well, the original idea of Nalanda University is to develop these sorts of connections that existed in ancient...