インドが安倍前首相に勲章

　【ニューデリー時事】インド政府は２５日、民間人に贈られる勲章で２番目に高位のパドマ・ビブシャン章を安倍晋三前首相に授与すると発表した。日印関係強化への貢献が評価された。日本人では、農林水産相や防衛庁長官を歴任した故・野呂田芳成元衆院議員に次ぎ２人目の受章。（2021/01/26-05:47）

The Indian government said Monday it will give the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award in the country, to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his contribution to the strengthening of bilateral ties.
   He will be the second Japanese to receive the award after Hosei Norota, late member of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Japan's parliament, who served as farm minister.
   While in office, Abe worked to enhance relations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi through so-called shuttle diplomacy of mutual visits, which took place almost every year.
   Abe helped realize the development of a high-speed railway line in India using Japan's Shinkansen bullet train technology and signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with India, which opened the way for Japan to export nuclear power plants to the South Asian country.
   In addition, the former prime minister worked to reinforce Japan's defense collaboration with India under the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative. The initiative, promoted by the two countries plus the United States and Australia, is intended to ensure the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region, apparently with the aim of maintaining a buffer against China's assertiveness.