Leh, May 1 -- Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the return of sacred relics of Gautama Buddha to Ladakh after 75 years reinforces India's long-standing message of peace and coexistence, calling the occasion a historic and spiritual moment on Buddha Purnima.

Addressing a gathering in Ladakh, Shah said the relics' presence in Ladakh makes this year's Buddha Purnima especially significant, allowing people across Ladakh, Kargil and other regions to experience their spiritual importance.

He said the development of infrastructure over the decades has ensured wider public access compared to 75 years ago, when limited connectivity restricted participation.

Shah said the occasion serves as a reminder that for thousands of years, Indi...