Japanese Ambassador to India Takeshi Yagi and Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling visited Manipur yesterday to attend the 71st anniversary of Battle of Imphal.
The commemoration programme, held at Maibam Lotpa Ching (also known as Red Hill), was organised by Manipur tourism forum along with Second World War Imphal Campaign Foundation.
Both envoys paid their respects to the fallen soldiers at the Commonwealth War Grave Centre (CWGC) in Imphal.
The Australian envoy said it was an honour to be invited for the anniversary programme of a historic battle.
"Let me just first say that I am very privileged to come and participate in this commemoration event, this 71st anniversary of the Second World War and it's very appreciative for the government of
Manipur for inviting me here today. As you know it was a historic battle, it was a famous battle," he said.
Meanwhile, the Japanese envoy paid homage to war heroes at the memorial and said that Japan might invest in Imphal to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.
"Well, we have a number of, let's say projects proposals which we have been discussing with your state government as well as the centre. So, we hope, you know, that some of those projects can materialise in the near future," he said.
The Battle of Imphal was fought from March to July in 1944 when Japanese troops poured over the border to strike at India. The battle was marked by vicious hand-to-hand fighting.
Lieutenant General William Slim's army comprising of British, Indian, Gurkha and African troops fought in horrendous jungle conditions, thereby, turning the tide against the Japanese army in World War II.
