Know more about India's history with Japan

How much will a layman be aware of friendly relations between India and Japan? Most of us living in the capital are aware that Delhi Metro became possible only because of Japan’s financial and technical assistance and recently when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the island nation they promised a huge amount for developmental projects.

However, in an attempt to familiarise people about this shared history, the Japan-India association has organised a month-long exhibition titled ‘The History of Japan-India Exchange’ at the Japan Foundation.

Ever since the Peace Treaty and establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1952, Japan and India have developed stronger bonds and friendlier relatios.

Misako Futsuki, director of Arts and Cultural Exchange, the Japan Foundation, curated the exhibition and has brought forward the history of India’s relationship  with Japan, from its very origin, the birth of Japan-India association, to all the contributions that both the countries have made for each other, over the past centuries.

Spanning from Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi, the exhibition includes carefully selected photographs that retell the history of cultural exchange between Japan and India from the Meiji Period (1868-1912) to the modern times.

Looking at these frames, one cannot help but sink into nostalgia, as they encapsulate the love that India’s first PM had for Japan; the fondness with which late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited the Maruti car factory in 1984 and the blessed moment when Delhi saw its first Metro train in 2002.

Futsuki, explaining the concept, said: “Through these photographs we are trying to present all such significant occasions to the Indian audience. These photographs will give an insight into all collaborations and efforts done in the past to keep this friendship going. It will also make them aware about the economic, cultural and diplomatic activities that have
taken place between the two nations.”

Looking at the collection, one feels proud  to have shared such a healthy and positive relationship with the country, which is famed as a tech-giant.

All those who are curious to know more about interesting facts about India’s history with Japan, visit the exhibition today! The exhibition is on display at the Japan Foundation till July 25.