A poignant and memorable moment during the inauguration of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), or Atal Setu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a moment to pay tribute to his “dear friend,” the late Shinzo Abe. The ceremony marked the completion of India’s longest sea bridge in Navi Mumbai, and Modi made sure to acknowledge the significant role played by the former Japanese Prime Minister in bringing this visionary project to fruition.
As the sun bathed the newly inaugurated bridge in a warm glow, Modi spoke eloquently about the camaraderie he shared with Abe. He credited the late Japanese leader for envisioning the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project alongside him. The bond between the two leaders went beyond diplomatic ties, reflecting a genuine friendship that transcended borders.
“Today, I want to remember my dear friend, the late Shinzo Abe. Both of us had vowed to complete the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project,” Modi reminisced, his words carrying a sense of nostalgia for the collaborative effort that spanned nations.
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project, which had languished in uncertainty for years, received a rejuvenating boost in 2017 when the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) secured a substantial Rs 15,109 crore loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. With this financial backing, work on the project resumed in April 2018, heralding a new chapter in India’s infrastructural landscape.
Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving Japanese Prime Minister, met an untimely end during a campaign speech in Japan’s Nara on July 8, 2022. Modi, visibly affected by the loss, attended the state funeral for Abe in September 2022, paying his respects to a leader he referred to as “an outstanding leader of Japan, a towering global statesman, and a great champion of India-Japan friendship.”
“Japan and the world have lost a great visionary. And, I have lost a dear friend,” Modi somberly remarked, reflecting not only on the personal loss but also on the impact Abe had on the global stage.
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link stands as a testament to the enduring friendship and shared vision between the two leaders. The bridge, connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, is not merely a physical link but a symbol of the diplomatic and personal ties that bind nations together. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, collaborative efforts can lead to remarkable achievements.
As the Atal Setu stands tall, spanning the waters and connecting hearts, it encapsulates the spirit of cooperation, friendship, and the indomitable human spirit. The legacy of Shinzo Abe lives on in the steel and concrete of the bridge, a fitting tribute to a leader who believed in the power of collaboration to build a better world.