1India-The Holy See RelationsDiplomatic relations between India and The Holy See wereestablished soon after India’s independence in 1948. In 2023, Indiaand the Holy See celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishmentof bilateral diplomatic relations. India’s Ambassador to Austria,resident in Vienna, is concurrently accredited to the Holy See whichmaintains a Nunciature (Embassy) in New Delhi, presently headed bya Nuncio (Ambassador).2. India has the second largest Catholic population in Asiaincluding those from Kerala dating from Apostolic times. A largenumber of Indians have joined various Roman Catholic Orders andmany occupy high positions within the Catholic Church including inRome. India and Indians have a positive image in the world Catholiccommunity.3. To commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, amajor event was organized on 1st October 2019 on Fraternal Loveand non-violence for global harmony and Peace at Pontifical Councilfor Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City.Papal Visits to India4. The Holy See has always acknowledged the importance of India,both in global and Asian terms. There have been three Papal visits toIndia. Pope Paul VI visited Mumbai in 1964 to attend theInternational Eucharistic Congress. Pope John Paul II came to Indiain February 1986 and visited different parts of India, includingMissionaries of Charity in Kolkata and met the Indian leadership.Pope John Paul II paid a State Visit to India from 5-7 November1999. He met President Shri K.R. Narayanan, Vice President (VP) ShriKrishan Kant and Prime Minister (PM) Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee.During the visit, he presided over the concluding celebrations of theSpecial Assembly of Synod of Bishops of Asia. He also signed and2released the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation. New Delhi wasspecially chosen by the Pope to hold this Special Concludingcelebrations [The Special Assembly of Synod of Bishops of Asia washeld at the Vatican from 19 April to 14 May 1998].High-level Visits from ...