Vibhav Kant Upadhyay, chairman of the India Center Foundation, a Tokyo-based NGO which seeks to promote stronger ties between India and Japan, has closely interacted with Abe for the past six years. “Abe San (san is the Japanese equivalent of the respectful Indian suffix ji) passionately believes in the concept of India-Japan global partnership, which was enshrined in the agreement between Prime Ministers Mori and Vajpayee in 2000. He subscribes to the vision of ‘Stronger India - Stronger Japan’.”

Abe will be the chief guest at the India Center’s 10th anniversary function on the 22nd — the first appearance of Japan’s next PM in a gathering of foreigners. Abe called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during an unpublicized three-day private visit to India in March 2005. “It’s one of the best meetings I have ever had. What a scholarly prime minister you have,” he said of the interaction. Therefore, when Singh comes to Japan later this year or in early 2007, it could well turn out to be a landmark visit.