Japan's Cabinet Public Relations Officer on Friday highlighted the cultural significance of the traditional Indian greeting 'Namaste' after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi exchanged the gesture during her official visit to India. In a post on X, the officer explained that the pose, known as 'Anjali Mudra,' involves pressing one's palms together in front of the chest and carries the message: 'I pay respect to you.'
Symbolism of Anjali Mudra
The gesture is globally recognized as a symbol of greeting, humility, and gratitude. According to Art of Living, the Anjali Mudra allows individuals to internalize the external experience of humility and groundedness. The Japanese Cabinet Public Relations Officer's post stated: 'This pose, where you often see people in India pressing their palms together in front of their chest, is called the Anjali Mudra. The greeting "Namaste" exchanged along with this pose is said to carry the meaning of "I pay respect to you."'
Context of the Gesture
The explanation came after Prime Minister Takaichi's three-day visit to India from July 1 to July 3, during which she participated in the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit. The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation and discussed regional and global issues. The gesture was notably used during their meetings, including an informal dinner hosted by PM Modi on July 2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan noted that the dinner was held in a friendly atmosphere, where the leaders exchanged views on Japan-India relations, international affairs, and cultural topics, deepening their personal trust.
Official Statements and Reactions
The Japanese Cabinet Public Relations Officer also shared a photograph of a billboard featuring PM Takaichi in Delhi, calling the visit 'fulfilling.' In a post, they said: 'Leaving New Delhi behind, we're heading off to Tokyo!' Meanwhile, Indian official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to nurture a partnership pivotal to shared growth and prosperity. The Ministry of External Affairs stated: 'A memorable visit concludes, advancing India-Japan partnership towards shared horizons. PM Sanae Takaichi of Japan departs from India following the highly successful 16th India-Japan Annual Summit. She was seen off by Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh. The visit reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to nurture a partnership pivotal to the shared growth and prosperity of both countries and an anchor for promoting peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.'
Media Coverage and Cultural Exchange
The Indian Embassy in Japan noted that the visit opened a new chapter in the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The Embassy also shared snippets of Japanese newspapers covering the summit, highlighting steady progress in bilateral relations across various fields. The gesture of Namaste, deeply rooted in Indian culture, served as a symbol of mutual respect and cultural appreciation during the high-level diplomatic engagement.
