THE MODI DOCTRINE: HONOURING LEGACY, SHAPING INDIA’S FUTURE

In these personal recollections, the narrators offer a window into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, tracing how his commitment to honouring India’s past and shaping its future has been reflected in both words and actions

MODI’S JAPAN CONNECTION DATES BACK TO THE EARLY 80S

The arrival of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi further strengthened the India-Japan partnership. But for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this relationship began long before he assumed office in 2014. His admiration for Japan, its culture and technological excellence stretches back decades and has shaped his approach to one of India’s most important strategic partnerships.

One of Narendra Modi’s earliest connections with Japan dates back to the early 1980s, when, as a young RSS pracharak, he befriended a Japanese visitor from Nagoya during a trip to Nepal. The friendship continued for years through handwritten letters. His Japanese friend would send gifts such as shoes and T-shirts, while Modi once gifted him a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. Even then, he viewed international friendships as opportunities for cultural exchange.

His fascination with Japan deepened during his first visit as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2007. Leading a 40-member delegation, he travelled across Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima and Kobe, meeting leading corporations including Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Marubeni, Suzuki, Toshiba and Nippon Steel. The visit resulted in important agreements between JETRO and the Gujarat government, laying the groundwork for future investment.

During the same visit, Modi met Shinzo Abe, then an emerging Japanese leader. Their first interaction developed into one of the closest friendships between two global statesmen. Even during Abe’s illness years later, Modi remained in regular touch to enquire about his health.

The visit was also a learning mission. Travelling aboard Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train, Modi visualised India developing its own high-speed rail network. He was given the rare opportunity to sit inside the driver’s cockpit, where he questioned engineers about earthquake safety, precision and operational efficiency. These conversations later influenced India’s own bullet train ambitions.

His curiosity extended beyond technology. At Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple, he closely observed crowd management, urban planning and administrative systems, exploring how similar practices could improve the management of India’s pilgrimage centres. During a university interaction, when asked about China’s growing influence, Modi replied with a memorable metaphor: “Darkness cannot be defeated with a sword; a small lamp can remove it.” He suggested that India and Japan, through their shared democratic values, could together become that light.

Modi also believed diplomacy should involve people as much as governments. During Gujarat’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, he encouraged Gujaratis living in Japan to contribute soil and water for the Mahatma Mandir project and urged them to introduce their Japanese friends to India. Following the Kutch earthquake, he promoted earthquake-resilient reconstruction models inspired by Kobe and encouraged officials to study Japanese mid-day meal systems while addressing child malnutrition in Gujarat.

When Modi returned to Japan in 2012, he was accorded honours rarely extended to a state chief minister. Invited during the 60th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations, he attended more than 40 programmes across five cities in just five days. Despite observing a Navratri fast, he spent hours meeting investors. During a visit to Osamu Suzuki’s residence, he unexpectedly requested a detailed tour of the Suzuki manufacturing plant, spending over three hours studying automobile production and interacting with Indian engineers.

At the JETRO Business Forum, Modi articulated a vision that would later define India-Japan economic ties: “Japan has the strength of experience, Gujarat has the power of enterprise. Japan has technology, Gujarat has the talent to absorb it.” A visit to Kobe Port also inspired his vision for Dholera’s development.

Years later, as Prime Minister, these experiences translated into one of India’s strongest strategic partnerships. From the MumbaiAhmedabad High Speed Rail project and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor to expanding defence cooperation, resilient supply chains and advanced technology partnerships, the foundations of today’s India-Japan relationship were laid long before Narendra Modi entered national office.

For Modi ji, national service rises above party lines - NV Subhash, Grandson of former PM PV Narasimha Rao

My first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 changed the way I viewed his commitment to honouring my grandfather’s legacy. During our conversation, I thanked him for speaking about Narasimha Rao ji during the Telangana campaign. His response left a lasting impression on me. He said, “Subhash ji, do not worry. I will continue to speak about Narasimha Rao ji across the country.” It was not a casual assurance. Over the years, I saw him fulfil that promise consistently through both words and actions.

Despite leading India through historic economic reforms and strengthening the country’s foreign policy at a critical time, my grandfather’s contribution remained overlooked for many years. Prime Minister Modi, however, consistently acknowledged his role in shaping modern India. When I requested that a memorial for Narasimha Rao ji be established in Delhi, the process began soon afterwards. It demonstrated that his commitment extended beyond speeches and reflected a genuine effort to give due recognition to an important chapter of India’s history.

Later, when I thanked Prime Minister Modi for this gesture, he told me something I have never forgotten. He said, “The importance I give to Narasimha Rao ji is important for the nation, not only for your family.” Those words reflected a much larger vision. He saw my grandfather’s legacy not as a matter of political identity or family sentiment, but as an integral part of the nation’s collective history.

Over the years, he continued to honour my grandfather through speeches, letters, references in Parliament and recognition on national platforms. At the inauguration of the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, he personally called me, asked about Telangana and reminded me to visit my grandfather’s gallery. It was a thoughtful and deeply personal gesture that meant a great deal to our family.

The most emotional moment came on 9 February 2024, when Narasimha Rao ji was conferred the Bharat Ratna. For us, it was not merely an award but the restoration of historical justice. Prime Minister Modi had no political compulsion to honour a former Congress Prime Minister, yet he chose to recognise his immense contribution because, for him, national service rises above party lines. My interactions with him have convinced me that he values contribution over political affiliation. By restoring my grandfather’s rightful place in national memory, he sent a clear message that national interest comes before party interest. I have always believed that his guiding principle is simple: nation first, party next, family last.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA