Deepa Wadhwa, a diplomat who was India’s ambassador to Japan for three years, shared a heart-warming incident remembering Shinzo Abe, who was shot dead. The story reveals Shinzo Abe’s love for India.
“I was invited as the Indian Ambassador as the chief guest at the annual conference held by Japan for women’s empowerment. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unexpectedly arrived at the conference venue. Everyone stood stunned and he took the mike in his hand and said – Swachh Bharatham program is going on in India. It is also a program to eliminate open defecation. Women suffer the most in this regard,” recollected Deepa.
Abe’s visit to the country is out of a deep interest in India, making it impossible for the Prime Minister to attend an unscheduled event, she says.
“As soon as he starts speaking at Indian venues, he will share his childhood memories of coming to India with his grandfather Kishi Nobusuke, a former Prime Minister. He was indebted throughout his life for the hospitality extended to him in the post-independence days when Nehru was Prime Minister. He provided long-term loans at lowest rates for infrastructure development in India.”
At a banquet organized to celebrate the golden jubilee of the introduction of high-speed rail in Japan, two women were seated on either side of him. One for himself and one for the US in Japan. Deepa Wadhwa remembers that it was for Ambassador Caroline Kennedy. Abe described Japan’s relationship with India in his memoirs – ‘Japan’s relationship with India is more valuable than Japan’s relationship with America.’
Even when the ministers from other countries could not give time to meet him, he always arranged a meeting with the rulers from India. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu once came with Ladu from Tirupati. He sought help in developing Amaravati as the capital when Andhra was partitioned. The next day, before noon, the phone offering help reached the embassy.
After stepping down as prime minister, Abe assumed the position of president of the India-Japan Association. It is Japan’s first international friendship organization. India was one of the first countries to recognize Japan after World War II. He wanted a visit to India to mark the 70th anniversary of India-Japan relations, Deepa Wadhwa said.
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