Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis hosts Akie Abe in Mumbai, seeks to strengthen ties with Japan

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday welcomed Akie Abe wife of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at his official residence Varsha in Mumbai and highlighted the cultural and spiritual links between India and JapanIn a post on X Fadnavis said the two discussed the similarities between Indias ancient spiritual traditions and Japans religious practices as well as Maharashtras longstanding relationship with Japan through cultural exchanges education and tourismHonoured and happy to welcome Mrs Akie Abe san wife of the Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe san at my official residence Varsha in Mumbai today She shared her experiences from her visit to Varanasi highlighting the striking similarities between Indiarsquos ancient spiritual traditions and Japanrsquos religious practices reflecting the deeprooted cultural and spiritual bonds between the two nations The Abe Memorial Corridor at Varanasirsquos Rudraksha International Convention Centre stands as a befitting tribute to IndiaJapan friendship and the close bond between our visionary leaders Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji and Former PM Shinzo Abe san whose friendship strengthened ties between the two nations Maharashtra and Japan share a longstanding relationship that continues to grow stronger through cultural exchanges educational partnerships tourism and peopletopeople connections Maharashtra looks forward to further strengthening the beautiful bond with Japan narendramodi akie_official Maharashtra Mumbai IndiaJapanFriendship IndiaJapanRelationsmdash Devendra Fadnavis Dev_Fadnavis October 10 2026Fadnavis highlights cultural ties between India and JapanIn his post Fadnavis said Honoured and happy to welcome Mrs Akie Abe san wife of the Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe san at my official residence Varsha in Mumbai todayHe said Akie Abe shared her experiences from her visit to Varanasi highlighting the cultural connections between the two countriesShe shared her experiences from her visit to Varanasi highlighting the striking similarities between Indiarsquos ancient spiritual traditions and Japanrsquos religious practices reflecting the deeprooted cultural and spiritual bonds between the two nations he saidAbe Memorial Corridor honours former Japanese PMFadnavis also referred to the Abe Memorial Corridor at the Rudraksh International Convention Centre in Varanasi which was inaugurated by Akie Abe and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on October 7The Abe Memorial Corridor at Varanasirsquos Rudraksh International Convention Centre stands as a befitting tribute to IndiaJapan friendship and the close bond between our visionary leaders Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji and Former PM Shinzo Abe san whose friendship strengthened ties between the two nations he saidThe memorial honours Shinzo Abes contribution to IndiaJapan relations and his close association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Modi also met Akie Abe in New Delhi on October 8 and recalled the former Japanese leaders role in strengthening bilateral tiesMaharashtra seeks stronger cooperation with JapanFadnavis said Maharashtras relationship with Japan continued to develop through cultural exchanges educational partnerships tourism and peopletopeople connectionsMaharashtra and Japan share a longstanding relationship that continues to grow stronger through cultural exchanges educational partnerships tourism and peopletopeople connections Maharashtra looks forward to further strengthening the beautiful bond with Japan he addedAkie Abes visit includes diplomatic and cultural engagementsAkie Abes visit to India has included engagements focused on cultural cooperation and the legacy of her late husband who served as Japans prime minister and played a significant role in strengthening relations with IndiaEarlier Modi described Shinzo Abe as a close friend and a visionary leader who helped elevate bilateral relations Akie Abes visit to the memorial in Varanasi also highlighted her husbands personal connection with the city including his visit in 2015 with Modi