Akie Abe, Wife of Former Japanese PM, Meets RSS General Secretary Hosabale to Discuss Stronger India-Japan Relations

Akie Abe, wife of late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss ways to strengthen relations between India and Japan, with particular emphasis on cultural cooperation and longstanding civilisational connections. The meeting was held at Keshav Kunj, the RSS headquarters in the national capital, where the participants exchanged views on expanding bilateral engagement through cultural initiatives and people-to-people connections.

Akie Abe, who chairs the Foundation for Social Contribution, attended the meeting alongside Taniguchi, chairperson of the Japanese organisation Nippon Kaigi. Their interaction with Hosabale lasted more than an hour, reflecting a shared interest in developing closer links between the two countries. Discussions focused on identifying opportunities for collaboration in cultural exchange, community engagement and initiatives aimed at bringing Indian and Japanese people closer together. Representatives of the RSS, the Foundation for Social Contribution and Nippon Kaigi also expressed their intention to explore ways to deepen cultural ties between Bharat and Japan.

The meeting came on the same day that Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Akie Abe and recalled the important role played by her late husband in strengthening India-Japan relations. In a post on X, Modi expressed pleasure at meeting Akie Abe and acknowledged her longstanding connection with India. He described Shinzo Abe as a close friend and a visionary leader who had helped elevate bilateral relations to a new level.

The Prime Minister also referred to the inauguration of the Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre in Varanasi, describing it as a fitting tribute to the former Japanese leader's contribution to the India-Japan partnership. The memorial corridor was inaugurated on Wednesday in the presence of Akie Abe and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The two jointly inaugurated the dedicated space, which commemorates Shinzo Abe's legacy and his role in strengthening ties between the two countries. Adityanath also presented Akie Abe with a memento during the occasion.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the memorial celebrates Abe's contribution to India-Japan relations and highlights important milestones in the development of the bilateral partnership. It also recognises the close personal relationship between Abe and Prime Minister Modi, which helped strengthen cooperation between New Delhi and Tokyo. Shinzo Abe, who served as Japan's prime minister for multiple terms, was an influential figure in expanding strategic and economic cooperation with India. During his leadership, the two countries deepened engagement in areas including infrastructure, investment, regional security and the Indo-Pacific.

The latest meetings involving Akie Abe underline the continuing importance of cultural diplomacy and personal connections in sustaining the India-Japan partnership. With both countries seeking closer cooperation across multiple sectors, initiatives promoting cultural understanding and public engagement are expected to remain an important part of their bilateral relationship.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.