PM Modi Meets Akie Abe, Pays Tribute To Shinzo Abe’s India-Japan Legacy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Akie Abe, wife of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and recalled her late husband’s significant contribution to strengthening India-Japan relations.

Modi described Shinzo Abe as a close friend and visionary leader who played a defining role in taking bilateral ties between India and Japan to new heights. He also said the newly inaugurated Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor in Varanasi was a fitting tribute to the former Japanese leader’s contribution to the friendship between the two countries.

“Pleased to meet Mrs Akie Abe, wife of late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Deeply value her enduring association with India,” Modi wrote on X.

“Abe San was a dear friend and a visionary leader who played a defining role in elevating India-Japan relations to new heights. The inauguration of the Abe Memorial Corridor at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Varanasi yesterday is a fitting tribute to his lasting contribution to India-Japan friendship,” he added.

Akie Abe also shared an emotional reflection on her meeting with Modi, saying the warmth of their interaction brought back strong memories of her late husband.

“Meeting with Prime Minister Modi, the warmth I felt today once again made my tears flow uncontrollably,” she wrote on X. “To strengthen the bonds between Japan and India even further, I want to do whatever I can. My husband must surely have been there with us…”

Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor In Varanasi

The meeting took place a day after Akie Abe and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath jointly inaugurated the Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor at the Rudraksh International Convention Centre in Varanasi.

The convention centre, located in Modi’s parliamentary constituency, was built with Japanese assistance and inaugurated by the Prime Minister in 2021.

Speaking at Wednesday’s inauguration, Akie Abe expressed gratitude for the memorial and said she was deeply moved by the tribute to her late husband. She recalled Shinzo Abe’s 2015 visit to Varanasi with Modi, including their participation in the Ganga Aarti, and said she had long wanted to visit the city herself.

She also spoke about the close friendship between Shinzo Abe and Modi, becoming emotional while recalling the bond they shared.

Akie Abe highlighted the cultural links between Varanasi and Kyoto, noting that both are ancient cities. She also referred to the 108 symbolic rudrakshas incorporated into the convention centre’s design and drew a connection with Japanese Buddhist traditions, where temple bells are traditionally rung 108 times on New Year’s Eve.

Yogi Adityanath Highlights India-Japan Cooperation

Yogi Adityanath said the memorial corridor symbolised the strategic, diplomatic and cultural ties between India and Japan.

He credited Shinzo Abe with playing an important role in deepening bilateral relations and highlighted Japan’s contribution to India’s infrastructure, technology, transportation and economic development.

Adityanath said around 1,400 Japanese companies currently operate in India and pointed to Japanese participation in major projects, including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor and metro networks.

He also said a 500-acre “Japan City” was being developed near Jewar Airport in Uttar Pradesh to promote Japanese investment. A dedicated Yamanashi Desk has also been established at Invest UP to facilitate investments from Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture, with the two sides working on a green hydrogen pilot project.

Who Was Shinzo Abe?

Shinzo Abe, who served as Japan’s prime minister for two terms, was assassinated in July 2022. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, in 2021.

The Rudraksh Convention Centre remains a prominent symbol of India-Japan cooperation. A gallery at the complex features photographs from Abe’s 2015 visit to Varanasi, when he accompanied Modi to the Ganga Aarti.

India and Japan are set to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2027. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also congratulated Modi on Wednesday for completing 25 years in public life.