Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad City and Hamamatsu City of Japan today formally signed a Sister City Twinning Agreement at Riverfront House in the city. The agreement was signed by Pratibha Jain, Mayor of Ahmedabad, and Yusuke Nakano, Mayor of Hamamatsu, in the presence of officials from both cities.

The partnership aims to strengthen bilateral ties, foster friendship, and enhance cooperation across multiple sectors. Both parties have agreed to maintain regular communication between designated authorities, promote exchanges and delegations, and encourage institutional interactions to share experiences in areas of mutual interest.

The collaboration will cover a wide range of fields, including civic administration, service delivery, land use planning, transport, housing, education, culture, sports, wastewater and solid waste management, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, public health, science and technology, tourism, heritage management, urban renewal, and regional planning. Regular meetings will be held to ensure effective coordination and implementation of joint programs and projects.

This marks Ahmedabad’s second sister city agreement with a Japanese city, building on its earlier partnership with Kobe City. The new agreement with Hamamatsu reinforces Ahmedabad’s commitment to strengthening cultural, economic, and developmental cooperation with Japan, an official statement said.

Cultural ties between the two cities are highlighted through events such as the India Hamamatsu Festival, scheduled for September 2025. Held annually in Hamamatsu, the festival showcases Indian music, dance, cuisine, and traditional arts, fostering people-to-people connections and deepening cross-cultural exchange.

One notable cultural commonality between India and Japan is the celebration of kite festivals. Ahmedabad’s Uttarayan festival and Hamamatsu’s Kite Festival both feature vibrant kites and public celebrations, providing a unique bridge between the two nations.

Industrial collaboration is another cornerstone of the partnership. Japanese companies have made significant investments in Ahmedabad in sectors such as automobile manufacturing, engineering, and precision technology, contributing to economic growth and job creation. The agreement lays the foundation for future cooperation in advanced industries, including smart manufacturing, green energy, robotics, and digital innovation, strengthening strategic ties between the two cities.

The signing ceremony marks a new chapter in Ahmedabad–Hamamatsu relations, paving the way for joint initiatives, regular exchanges, and knowledge-sharing that will benefit citizens of both cities, stated the AMC press release. DeshGujarat