Opinion | How Yogi’s Japan And Singapore Trip Pushes UP’s Development-Plus-Hindutva Model

Yogi’s itinerary captures the BJP’s classic ideological approach to politics and governance: ambitious development on one hand, Hindutva firmly on the other

Shri Ram and Hanuman Mandir in Bando, Ibaraki Prefecture, is soon going to be visited by its most high-profile devotee yet. The quiet temple, sitting on 5 acres about 45 km from Tokyo, is prominently in Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s itinerary during his trip to Singapore (February 23-24) and Japan (February 25-27).

On the other hand, he will be boarding the high-speed Maglev train, courting investment, and showcasing Uttar Pradesh’s fast-growing industrial infrastructure.

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Just Yogi’s itinerary captures the BJP’s classic ideological approach to politics and governance: ambitious development on one hand, Hindutva firmly on the other.

PM Narendra Modi has almost perfected it. His global visits often combine a hard economic and developmental pitch with visits to temples or places that are culturally and civilisationally significant for Bharat. Yogi is following in Modi’s footsteps.

The UP CM’s latest outing is primarily to attract foreign investments and foster economic partnerships in his goal to make UP a $1 trillion economy by 2030. Leading a team of senior state officials and Invest UP evangelists, he will take part in roadshows and meetings with not just Japanese and Singaporean politicians, business leaders, and officials, but also engage intensively with the Indian diaspora.

On the menu are sectors like manufacturing, electronics, infrastructure, data centres, semiconductors, tourism, and services. One can expect hectic MoU signing for investments, promoting UP’s industrial policies, and exploring collaborations in urban development and high-tech mobility.

The trip could also yield strategic gains, especially in pitching the state as an investment destination in South Asia. UP is finalising dedicated ‘Japan City’ and ‘Singapore City’ industrial zones in Greater Noida by setting aside large land parcels for targeted foreign clusters to streamline FDI and create specialised hubs.

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has sent a proposal to the state government for the development of Japan City and Singapore City. Sites have been identified, and the land acquisition plan is ready. Sector 5A and Sector 7 have been proposed for these projects.

The authority’s master plan earmarks a minimum of 70 per cent land use for industry and caps residential use at 12 per cent and commercial use at 13 per cent, with institutional facilities taking up about 5 per cent.

In Japan, the 100-km test ride on the 600 kmph Maglev train signals Yogi government’s interest in advanced rail tech transfers, potentially inspiring high-speed corridors in UP such as those linking Noida to Jewar Airport.

His Japan Hanuman temple visit strengthens soft power and bolsters UP’s growing global reputation as a hub of spiritual tourism.

And lastly, the monk-politician’s South Asian investment pilgrimage stands to enhance UP’s role in Indo-Pacific supply chains, countering China-centric investments and boosting defence and tech collaborations. It also subtly positions Uttar Pradesh as a prime bridge in India’s Act East policy.

Abhijit Majumder is the author of the book, ‘India’s New Right’. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views

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