Tomohiko Taniguchi, who drafted Abe’s foreign policy speeches for 15 years, spoke on October 8 2026 at the NDTV India‑Japan Summit, saying the former Japanese leader had treated him as a "kindred spirit."
He recalled that Abe viewed India as a future champion, predicting that its economy would one day eclipse China’s—an assessment Taniguchi said was grounded in the rapid growth Modi had steered since 2014.
Abe’s perspective, Taniguchi said, stemmed from his belief that India would not only grow in size but also strengthen its military while safeguarding democracy, aligning with Max Weber’s triad of institutional, traditional, and personal authority.
The two leaders’ friendship manifested in tribute; after Abe’s death in 2022, Modi penned "My Friend Abe‑san," and on October 8 2026, the inauguration of the Abe Memorial Corridor at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Varanasi symbolised the enduring India‑Japan bond.
Taniguchi added that Abe’s personal warmth, evidenced by his visits to Modi’s office and his care for the wife of the late prime minister, helped cement a relationship that now sees India positioned as a counterweight to China’s regional dominance.