Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with a Daruma Doll by Rev Seishi Hirose, chief priest of Shorinzan Daruma-Ji Temple in Tokyo, on Friday. The gift, a traditional Japanese doll believed to bring good fortune, was handed to PM Modi as part of his ongoing two-day visit to Japan, which also includes attending the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit.
A Daruma Doll is a hollow, round Japanese figurine modelled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. While the dolls are typically red and depict the Indian monk, their design and color can vary depending on the artist and region. In Japanese culture, Daruma Dolls are symbols of resilience and determination, echoing the proverb, “fall down seven times, get up eight.” Traditionally, one eye of the doll is coloured when setting a personal goal, while the other remains blank until the goal is achieved, serving as a visual reminder to persist until success.
Earlier on Friday, PM Modi also met with former Japanese Prime Ministers Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida. With Mr. Suga, Modi discussed ways to deepen India-Japan cooperation across sectors including technology, artificial intelligence, trade, and investment. Sharing his thoughts on X, Modi highlighted the importance of building closer collaboration across multiple dimensions of bilateral partnership.
During his meeting with Fumio Kishida, PM Modi reviewed progress in India-Japan relations, covering trade, critical technologies, and human resource mobility. He also explored emerging opportunities in technology, semiconductors, and other innovative sectors.
Addressing the India-Japan Economic Forum, Modi emphasized partnerships in manufacturing, technology, innovation, green energy, and skill development. He noted that the world is watching India closely and counting on its progress. Echoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Modi stated that combining Japan’s excellence with India’s scale can form a perfect global partnership.






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