These projects, to be implemented in Punjab, Karnataka and Maharashtra, brought back focus to the ODA programme, which has been a longstanding beacon of cooperation between India and Japan. India was the first nation to receive ODA loans in 1958. Against this backdrop, ThePrint looks at ODA, which symbolises and continues to strengthen the influence of Japanese soft power in India.Also Read: 3 ways India-Japan relations can go beyond familiar adjectives of ‘natural’ and ‘special’ What is ODA? The ODA programme evolved after Japan joined The Colombo Plan in 1954. Its aim was to facilitate economic and technical cooperation among…