Abe Memorial Corridor honoring Shinzo Abe, India-Japan ties inaugurated in Varanasi

Varanasi, October 7: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor, describing it as a "living classroom" for the next generation to learn about the strong friendship between India and Japan. The chief minister emphasized that every young person visiting the corridor will witness how a visionary leader can guide the future of two nations.

Adityanath stated that the true tribute to the late Shinzo Abe would be the ongoing strengthening of the India-Japan friendship. The corridor, located at the Rudraksh International Convention Center, is not merely a place to honor the former Japanese Prime Minister's memory but also a symbol of the unbreakable bond between the two countries.

Adityanath called the corridor a humble tribute to Abe, on behalf of 25 crore people of Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and 140 crore Indians. He highlighted the significance of the Rudraksh symbol, which was gifted to Kashi by Japan and now preserves Abe's memory forever. The chief minister also noted the historical coincidence of the inauguration taking place on the 25th anniversary of Modi's first swearing-in as Chief Minister of Gujarat, and the 25 years since the foundation of India-Japan friendship.

Yogi Adityanath recounted several milestones in the India-Japan relationship, including the signing of the Kashi-Kyoto Partner City Agreement in 2015, the laying of the bullet train foundation in Ahmedabad in 2017, and the invitation of Modi to Abe's private residence in Yamanashi in 2018. He praised Japan's support for major infrastructure projects in India and the growing Japanese companies operating in the country, now totaling around 1,400.

The chief minister also underlined the potential for future collaboration in technology, artificial intelligence, green hydrogen, and critical minerals, with Japan's expertise complementing India's young energy.

The corridor serves as a testament to the trust-based relationship between the two nations, according to Adityanath. He quoted Goswami Tulsidas' wisdom, stating that a true friend's sorrow should be considered as a mountain, while one's own sorrow should be seen as dust. He highlighted India's gratitude for finding such a true friend in Japan and mentioned the recent visit of Governor Kotaro Nagasaki from Yamanashi to Uttar Pradesh, where they plan to develop a Japanese City at Noida International Airport and in the YEIDA region.

Adityanath also noted that India and Japan share a deep connection to Lord Buddha's life, with many pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh and Kashi being the soul of Buddhist civilization.