Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday, 13 July 2026, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for elevating India's civilisational, cultural and spiritual heritage on the world stage, with specific reference to the teachings of Sikh Gurus, the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas, and the preservation of sacred heritage sites.

Context

Posting in Hindi on X, CM Saini wrote that under PM Modi's leadership, India is carrying its rich civilisation and spiritual legacy to new heights on the global platform — 'भारत अपनी समृद्ध सभ्यता, संस्कृति और आध्यात्मिक विरासत का गौरव विश्व पटल पर नई ऊंचाइयों तक पहुँचा रहा है' ('India is taking the pride of its rich civilisation, culture and spiritual heritage to new heights on the world stage'). He specifically cited decisions taken by the Prime Minister regarding the teachings of Sikh Gurus, the sacrifice of the Sahibzadas, and the protection of sacred heritage as evidence of a deep commitment to faith and legacy.

The post concluded with the assertion that India is not merely preserving its cultural identity but presenting it with pride before the entire world — framing this as the hallmark of a 'developed and culturally empowered India.'

Policy Backdrop

The Swadesh Darshan scheme, launched in 2014-15, included dedicated circuits for the development of Sikh religious heritage sites, signalling early intent to integrate religious tourism with cultural diplomacy. A landmark moment came in 2019 when the central government operationalised the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, enabling Indian pilgrims to visit Guru Nanak Dev Ji's shrine in Pakistan without a visa — widely regarded as a significant gesture toward the Sikh community and cross-border heritage access.

These initiatives sit within a broader pattern in which successive central governments have woven cultural diplomacy into foreign policy, using India's religious and civilisational legacies — spanning Sikhism, yoga, Buddhism and ancient archaeological sites — as instruments of soft power at multilateral forums.

Stakeholders and Impact

The Sikh community, both within India and in the global diaspora, is the primary stakeholder in policies that centre on Sikh Gurus' teachings and the memory of the Sahibzadas — the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji whose martyrdom holds deep significance in Sikh historical consciousness. Heritage tourism operators and pilgrimage site administrators also stand to benefit from continued state investment in sacred site preservation.

Haryana, home to a substantial Sikh population and several historically significant Gurdwaras, has a direct stake in how the central government's cultural agenda is articulated and implemented at the state level. CM Saini's public endorsement reinforces alignment between the state government and the BJP-led central government on cultural policy priorities.

What's Next

Observers will watch for further central or state announcements on Sikh heritage memorials, new pilgrimage infrastructure, or India's participation in upcoming international cultural summits where spiritual traditions are foregrounded. The framing of cultural preservation as integral to Viksit Bharat — a 'developed India' — suggests that heritage diplomacy will remain a recurring theme in BJP political communication ahead of future electoral cycles. How the government translates this rhetoric into specific policy action on Sikh sites will be the measure that matters most to communities on the ground.