'Youth Can Build Stronger India-Japan Ties': CM Yogi Adityanath Hosts Japanese Students In Lucknow

Lucknow, August 21, 2026 - Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hosted a gathering at his residence on Friday, where Japanese students and faculty members from Yamanashi Prefecture engaged in dialogue with their counterparts from various schools in Lucknow. This special program, "A Dialogue with the Future," aimed to foster stronger ties between India and Japan through the lens of young generations.

As part of the Uttar Pradesh-Japan Investment Meeting, the interaction highlighted the potential of students to become future ambassadors and strengthen diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The guests were welcomed with a Japanese greeting, "Ohayo gozaimasu," by the CM, who emphasized the importance of cultural exchange in building a stronger India-Japan relationship. The Chief Minister, in his address, noted that Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, and home to a major center of spiritual and cultural consciousness. He also mentioned that Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, is located in the region where the interaction took place.

Japanese students had previously visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, and Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, is nearby. They would also have the opportunity to visit Varanasi and Sarnath, sacred places associated with Lord Buddha and Lord Krishna, respectively. The visit aimed to provide Japanese students with a firsthand experience of India's spirituality, culture, and civilizational heritage.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the shared cultural values and philosophies between India and Japan, emphasizing the potential for mutual learning and understanding. He quoted a Sanskrit verse, "Ayam Nijah Paro Veti, Ganana Laghu-Chetasam; Udar-Charitanam Tu, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," to illustrate the concept of unity in diversity and the idea that the entire world is one family.

The CM also drew parallels between Japan's strengths in self-discipline, precision, quality, teamwork, and innovation, and India's strengths in its young population, talent, diversity, creativity, and inclusiveness.

The dialogue between the students was seen as an opportunity for both countries to learn from each other and build stronger ties. The CM urged the young participants to not only learn each other's languages but also to understand each other's emotions, cultures, values, and ways of life, as the strongest relationships are built between classrooms, campuses, laboratories, and young minds. He concluded his address by saying "Arigato gozaimasu," meaning "Thank you very much" in Japanese.