New Delhi, Mar 20 (Mayank Nigam) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that he and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida discussed boosting bilateral relations in sectors like defence, healthcare, tech and other issues, and also on ways to further peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. “Held excellent talks with PM @kishida230. We discussed boosting India-Japan ties in sectors like defence, healthcare, technology, and other issues. We also discussed ways to increase competitiveness in logistics, food processing, MSME, textiles and more “Spoke to PM @kishida230 on India’s G20 Presidency and how our presidency will give voice to the views of the Global South. We also discussed ways to further peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” the PM said in tweets. After their delegation level talks at Hyderabad House, there was an Exchange of Notes of tranche – IV of a loan of Japanese Yen 300 billion for the Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR).
The two sides also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of Japanese Language Education. Prime Minister Modi, in his press statement, after the 50-minute meeting, said the visit of the Japanese PM is significant as this year India is chairing the G20, and Japan is chairing the G7. “And therefore, this is the perfect opportunity to work together on our respective priorities and interests. Today, I explained in detail to Prime Minister Kishida about the priorities of India’s G20 Presidency. Giving voice to the priorities of Global South is an important pillar of our G20 Presidency. We have taken this initiative because we are a culture that believes in “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, and in taking everyone along.” PM Modi said the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership is based on their shared democraticvalues, and respect for the rule of law in the international arena. “Strengthening this partnership is not only important for both our countries, it also promotes peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.” The two sides reviewed the progress made in the bilateral relations.
“We exchanged views on Defence Equipment and Technology collaboration, Trade, Health, and Digital partnership. We also had a fruitful discussion on the importance of reliable supply chains in semiconductor and other critical technologies,” he said. He remarked that there was good progress relating to the Japanese investment of 5 trillion yen in India in the next 5 years, that was set during PM Kishida’s visit last year. He also said that he had accepted the invite from PM Kishida to attend the G7 leaders’ summit being hosted in Hiroshima in May this year. Referring to India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership launched between the two sides in December 2019 to strengthen India’s industrial competitiveness, PM Modi said that thanks to it competitiveness is being increased in the logistics, food processing, machinery, SMEs sectors. “We expressed happiness on the activities,” he added. He also said the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail corridor project using Japan’s Shinkansen technology is progressing well. PM Modi said that 2023 is the India-Japan Tourism Exchange Year, and under it they are connecting the Himalayas with Mt Fuji in Japan. “PM Kishida has invited me to attend the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Hiroshima. A few months later we will host the G20 Summit and I will get the opportunity to invite him to India again. With our exchanges continuing this way, India-Japan relations are sure to touch newer heights.”
In his remarks, PM Kishida expressed his intention to address the challenges facing the international community on the occasion of the G7 Hiroshima Summit from two perspectives: adherence to the international order based on the rule of law and enhancing relations with partners in the international community beyond the G7, including those countries referred to as the Global South. He said that Prime Minister Modi had explained the outcome of the ‘Global South Summit’ that India hosted, as well as India’s priorities as the G20 Presidency. He said the two leaders exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including development finance, food security, climate and energy, and confirmed their commitment to discuss and work together on various issues in the international community in the lead-up to both the G7 and G20 summits. He said the two sides had welcomed the signing of a 300-billion-yen loan for the high-speed rail project and also confirmed that they would continue cooperation on the development of the North-eastern region of India, through the Japan-India Act East Forum.
The two leaders confirmed to promote cooperation between the two countries under the India-Japan Clean Energy Partnership announced last year, and welcomed the latest signing of the Aid Memoire confirming their intention to build a Joint Crediting Mechanism. Prime Minister Kishida noted the steady progress in the construction of facilities at IIT-Hyderabad through Japanese ODA loan and expressed hope that this will lead to further bilateral exchanges of teachers and students. Later, PM Kishida unveiled his country’s Free and Open Indo Pacific policy at a talk at Sapru House. The Japanese PM is here on a two-day official visit. He departs tomorrow morning.