Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday expressed his determination to be a friend of India forever, co-relating it to the way his grandfather, the then Japanese PM Nobusuke Kishi, had been “moved” by the then Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru after World War II.
Concluding the 12th India-Japan Annual Summit at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Abe, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said,
“Sixty years ago, after the war, the very first Prime Minister (of Japan) who visited India was actually my grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi… On that occasion, my grandfather had a meeting with then PM Nehru… PM Nehru kindly introduced my grandfather to the general public of India who gathered in front of him…As you can imagine, Japan was still recovering from the defeat in the war and my grandfather was representing a nation that was defeated…
“Having said that, the PM of India kindly introduced my grandfather as ‘the Prime Minister representing a nation which he himself respects the most as a nation’… So, this single experience was powerful enough to move the heart of my grandfather and since then he made his endeavour to remain a friend of India forever. Just like my grandfather, I abide to keep myself as a friend of India forever….,” Abe was quoted by Indian Express.
A loud round of applause from the audience emerged after Abe’s comments on his old and cherishing relationship with India.
“Japan and India share a longstanding friendship and aspiration to achieve a prosperous future. Those of you who are here today will turn a new chapter in the history of our friendship,” the Japanese PM concluded in his speech in Japanese.
Abe recalling his grandfather’s friendship with Nehru evoked instant reactions on social media including from Congress supporters.
Burnol for the entire Sangh Parivar. Shinzo Abe recalls grandfather’s ties with Nehru writes @LangaMahesh ! https://t.co/bch18gOqzx
— Sadhavi Khosla?? (@sadhavi) September 15, 2017
It is not fair to his 'Param Mitra' Modi! https://t.co/kcJ0IgqgLc
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) September 15, 2017
PM Abe Cites Nehru, Who Welcomed the 1st Japanese PM (Abe's Grandfather)?
Nehru Won Hearts
While Feku Wins TV Timehttps://t.co/NewR8m6RGQ— Geet V (@geetv79) September 15, 2017
Abe, nice sly! https://t.co/HYrxBiIi1G
— Sangita Nambiar (@Sanginamby) September 15, 2017
The political dynasty is an evil and should be shunned, right? "Shinzo Abe recalls grandfather’s ties with Nehru" https://t.co/GZj3VXth5l
— Sushant Singh (@SushantSin) September 15, 2017
Haha…! The Abe Dynasty stumped modi ji on this one…! ??? https://t.co/v9qOAb3FoR Shinzo Abe recalls grandfather’s ties with Nehru
— Jairaj P (@jairajp) September 15, 2017
Mention of Nehru by Shinzo Abe definitely left a bad taste in PM Modi's mouth, due to his Sanghi leaning mindset! https://t.co/iyx0PstEt2
— Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) September 15, 2017