Maha Dy CM Fadnavis shares notable similarity with PM Modi when it comes to Japan

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis share a notable similarity when it comes to visits to Japan.

In the year 2023, the Japanese government extended an invitation to Fadnavis as its special state guest. Exactly a decade prior, in 2013, then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had also been invited as a special state guest by the Japanese Government.

Fadnavis, a lawyer and management professional, is scheduled to embark on a five-day tour starting August 20. During this time, he is expected to hold meetings with the Japanese Prime Minister, corporate delegates, and investors from Japan, including representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the state industries department will accompany the deputy chief minister on this tour.

Back in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had undertaken a visit to Japan. Prior to his journey, he had expressed, "We will explore how Japan can associate itself with my vision of inclusive development in India."

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It is not surprising that during his forthcoming visit, Fadnavis and his delegation will engage in discussions about significant infrastructure projects and seek financial assistance from JICA for key developmental endeavours. These projects include a tunnel beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), commonly known as the Borivali national park, as well as two coastal initiatives: the Versova Virar sea link and the Thane coastal road.

This upcoming visit marks Fadnavis' second trip to Japan in the past eight years. In 2015, Fadnavis, who became the second youngest Chief Minister of Maharashtra at the time, visited Japan and inaugurated a memorial and statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.