LUCKNOW, Aug. 22 -- Official protocols took a backseat on Friday at the chief minister's residence, which played host to a heartwarming cultural exchange between Yogi Adityanath and a student delegation from Japan and India. The diplomacy removed linguistic barriers, gave way to smiles, dialogue and a natural bridge of friendship between the cultures of the two nations. Organised alongside the Uttar Pradesh-Japan investment summit, the interactive session titled - 'A Dialogue with the Future' - brought together 13 students and faculty members from Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture and their counterparts from local Lucknow schools. Yamanashi governor Kotaro Nagasaki was also present. The interaction offered a glimpse of the future of India-Japan relations. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath began his address with the Japanese greeting, 'Ohayo gozaimasu', a polite Japanese phrase meaning 'Good Morning'. He said: "UP is a major centre of India's spiritual and cultural consciousness and can be viewed as the 'Heartland of India'." "This is not a meeting of students. It is a meeting of two cultures, two traditions and the young generations of two countries." He noted that the next year will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. At such a time, students from both countries have the potential to become future ambassadors who can take this relationship to new heights. He said one of the major achievements of the dialogue would be for Japan's younger generation to see India not merely as a market but as a civilisational partner and friend. At the same time, Indian students have the opportunity to learn about Japan's work culture, life philosophy, discipline, 'Ikigai', teamwork, mutual respect, cleanliness, punctuality, traditional arts and festivals, the CM added. Adityanath concluded his address with "Arigato gozaimasu" in Japanese, which means "Thank you very much". Yamanashi governor Kotaro Nagasaki expressed his gratitude to the chief minister for giving students from both countries the opportunity to interact. Japanese students came together to perform a song in their native language. Representing India, student Ishan captivated the audience with 'Kaushalya Dashrath Ke Nandan...', a devotional song dedicated to Lord Ram. Japanese student Kazama said: "Coming to India is a very special experience for me. The friendly way people have treated us here has touched my heart." "I want us to become a bridge of friendship and understanding between India and Japan. I will always remember the experience I had here today," said Kazama. Another Japanese student Miyagi Moto said: "The experience of India is unique." Students also expressed their emotions through the art of origami. They presented the CM with beautifully crafted origami creations carrying a message of peace and friendship. The CM took selfies with Japanese students and children from Lucknow. The foreign students also approached Yogi without concern for protocol to take selfies. Students were visibly excited to have their photo clicked with the CM. Their smiles and enthusiasm transformed the moment into a cherished memory that both Indian and Japanese students are likely to carry with them for years to come. Thirteen Japanese students met their counterparts from UP, performed a song in their own language, conveyed a message of peace and friendship through origami and prepared to take their experiences of India back home....