Varanasi, Aug 21 (IANS) A high-level 109-member Japanese delegation is set to arrive in the spiritual city of Kashi on August 22 for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening industrial cooperation and cultural exchanges between India and Japan, government officials said on Friday.
Led by Kotaro Nagasaki, the Governor of Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture, the delegation includes senior officials and CEOs (Chief Executive officers) of leading Japanese companies.
The visit is expected to open new avenues for investment in Uttar Pradesh while giving fresh momentum to tourism and bilateral relations.
Uttar Pradesh, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath government, is actively promoting foreign investment, industrial development and employment generation.
At the same time, the state is showcasing India’s rich cultural, religious and artistic heritage on the global stage, with Kashi serving as a powerful symbol of this dual focus.
Upon arrival in Varanasi on the afternoon of August 22, the Japanese guests will first visit Sarnath, the sacred site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon and which was recently added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
In the evening, they will witness the spectacular “Ganga Aarti” at “Namo Ghat”.
A dinner hosted at the Taj Hotel will introduce the visitors to Indian culture, art and handicrafts.
On August 23, some key members of the delegation will offer prayers at the “Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple”, while the remaining members will depart from the airport.
The visit is designed to explore collaboration opportunities in key sectors such as hydrogen and clean energy, semiconductors, electronics, automobiles, infrastructure, tourism and human resource development.
It aligns with Uttar Pradesh’s ambition of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy through strong law and order, improved infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, ease of doing business and a single-window clearance system.
To highlight Kashi’s centuries-old craftsmanship, stalls featuring ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) and Geographical Indication (GI) products will be set up.
These will display Gulabi Meenakari, soft stone carving, wooden lacquerware and toys, Banarasi silk sarees and other local handicrafts.
Cultural performances including Kathak, folk dances and instrumental music will further showcase the vibrant traditions of India and Kashi.
Officials said the Japanese delegation’s visit will go beyond pure economic engagement.
Through the spiritual essence of the Ganga, the Buddhist heritage of Sarnath and Kashi’s living art and culture, the interaction is expected to add a new cultural dimension to the long-standing friendship between India and Japan, particularly between Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi Prefecture.
–IANS
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