Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described his country’s friendship with Japan as one of the most trusted in the world, “both strategically and economically”.

Officially opening a Japanese-funded and designed international convention center in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi in the politically crucial northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Modi hoped the edifice will make Varanasi the center of art, culture and business promotion.

“The friendship between Japan and India is one of the most trusted ones in the world, both strategically and economically, and Japan has always been the most reliable partner in India's development,” said Modi, who has christened the Varanasi International Cooperation and Convention Centre (VCC) as Rudraksh, which roughly translates into divine teardrops. 

Iterating that Rudraksh will be the “biggest source of power for new India”, the prime minister said “with Rudraksh, Varanasi will become the center of art, culture and business promotion”.

“Rudraksh is now the new development hub of Varanasi,” he said, thanking the Japanese people and the Japanese government for their efforts in building the convention center.

The VCC has been constructed by Japan's Grant Aid through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in his video message described the VCC “as a symbol of friendship between Japan and India”.

“I hope that this center will be used as a stage to showcase close Japan-India cooperation through hosting international conferences and cultural and art events,” he said.

Suga asserted that Japan and India were making utmost efforts to further develop bilateral ties under the Special Strategic and Global Partnership through cooperation in areas like green society, digital, cyber, healthcare and enhancing connectivity.

Japanese Ambassador to India Suzuki Satoshi said his country was honored at supporting the construction of the center in the pilgrim city that is one of the world's most ancient cities dating back thousands of years.

Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative of JICA India, said the latest Japanese technology including energy conservation and appealing aesthetics were applied in the building’s construction.

The VCC, conceptualized by the Indian government, has a main hall with a seating capacity of 1,200 people and the latest stage, lights and sound equipment.

It also has a conference room, artist make-up rooms, and other related facilities together with 120 car parking spaces. In addition to the construction cost of the VCC, the Grant Aid also included the provision of know-how transfer on the operationalization of the Center and general management, including the planning of cultural and other related international events.

(SAM)