Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Tokyo earlier this week to pay homage at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, a gesture that reflects the strengthening of cultural and diplomatic ties between India and Japan. This visit is part of Sarma’s efforts to enhance Assam’s international profile and foster deeper bilateral relations.

The trip follows the completion of the first phase of Sarma’s “Advantage Assam 2.0” roadshow in South Korea, where he engaged with stakeholders in key sectors including renewable energy, semiconductors, and small and medium enterprises. During his visit, Sarma highlighted Assam’s potential to become a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing, inviting major firms like SK Hynix and Seoul Viosys to invest in the state.

The visit to Tokyo also underscores the historical and strategic ties between India and Japan, which have been cultivated over centuries. These connections date back to 752 AD when Indian monk Bodhisena played a key role in the consecration of the Todaiji Temple’s Buddha statue in Nara. The contributions of renowned figures like Swami Vivekananda and Rabindranath Tagore have further solidified these ties.

In recent years, the growing Indian diaspora in Japan, particularly professionals in the IT and engineering sectors, has contributed to the deepening of economic and cultural relations. With more than 40,000 Indians residing in Japan, areas like Nishikasai in Tokyo have become vibrant cultural hubs, further cementing the bilateral partnership between the two nations.