On July 15, the opening ceremony of the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre (RICCC), which has been constructed by Japan's Grant Aid through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was held in the city of Varanasi in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP). The inauguration ceremony was chaired by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Smt. Anandiben Patel, Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh H.E. Mr. Suzuki Satoshi, Ambassador of Japan to India Shri Yogi Adityanath, Hon’ble Chief Minister of UP, H.E. Mr. Suzuki Satoshi, Ambassador of Japan to India and other dignitaries from India and Japan. H.E. Mr. Yoshihide Suga, hon’ble Prime Minister of Japan, delivered his congratulatory message through video. At the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi said, “The friendship between India and Japan is one of the most trusted international friendship in the world, both strategically and economically. Japan has always been the most reliable partner for India's development.

The Varanasi International Cooperation and Convention Centre, named "Rudraksh", will be the state of the art convention centre in India. With Rudraksh, Varanasi will become a more prominent centre of art, culture and heritage. Rudraksh is now the new development hub of Varanasi. I would like to thank the Japanese government for their efforts in building this Rudraksh.” Prime Minister Suga said in his video message, "I am very pleased to see that the (Varanasi) International Cooperation and Convention Center was built as a symbol of friendship between Japan and India.” “I hope that this center will be used as a stage to showcase close Japan-India cooperation through hosting international conferences and cultural and art events, and become a new symbol of friendship between Japan and India”. Prime Minister Suga also said, “Japan and India make utmost efforts to further develop our bilateral ties under the “Special Strategic and Global Partnership,” through cooperation in such areas as green society, digital, cyber, healthcare and enhancing connectivity”.