At the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Japan from 10 to 12 November, 2016 for the Annual Summit meeting.
During the three day visit Prime Minister had an audience with the Emperor of Japan and held wide-ranging consultations with Prime Minister Abe.
Stressing the role of India and Japan for stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, the two Prime Ministers reiterated the need to further consolidate their security and defence cooperation. While Prime Minister Abe appreciated India’s active engagement in the Indo-Pacific region under the ‘Act East Policy,’. Prime Minister Modi appreciated Japan’s greater engagement in the region under Japan’s ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy’. They further stressed that improving connectivity between Asia and Africa, through realising a free and open Indo-Pacific region, was vital to achieving prosperity of the entire region.
The two leaders witnessed the exchange of a total of 10 agreements covering a wide range of sectors, including the landmark Civil Nuclear Agreement.
The Prime Minister also had a detailed interaction with top business leaders from India and Japan, towards further strengthening trade and investment ties; travelled to Kobe with Prime Minister Abe on the famed Shinkansen and visited Kawasaki Heavy Industries facility. The three day visit that began with the warmth of the community in Tokyo wound down with a special diaspora engagement in Kobe.
This book will take you through the highlights of the visit.
The two leaders acknowledged the significant progress in bilateral relations over the past two years since Prime Minister Modi's last visit in August-September 2014 and undertook a comprehensive review of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership as outlined in the "India and Japan Vision 2025" set forth on 12 December 2015. They welcomed the high degree of convergence in the political, economic and strategic interests of the two countries that provides an enduring basis for a long-term partnership.
The two Prime Ministers also underlined the need to intensify cooperation in high technology, space, clean energy and energy sector development, infrastructure and smart cities, bio-technology, pharmaceuticals, ICT, as well as education and skills development to strengthen and deepen their Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Underscoring the role of India and Japan for stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region they recognised the potential for deeper bilateral cooperation and synergy between ‘India’s Act East Policy’ and Japan’s ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy’.
They decided to seek synergy between India's "Act East" Policy and Japan's ‘Expanded Partnership for Quality Infrastructure,’ by closely coordinating, bilaterally and with other partners, for better regional integration and improved connectivity as well as industrial networks based on the principles of mutual consultation and trust.
Reviewing the global agenda, the two leaders also decided to expand common space and their cooperation on global challenges such as climate change, countering terrorism and violent extremism, reform of the United Nations (UN) including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), as well as maintaining rules-based international order.
The two leaders witnessed a total of 10 agreements being exchanged covering a wide range of sectors including the landmark Civil Nuclear Agreement.
During his three day visit, Prime Minister Modi also met and had a detailed interaction with top business leaders from India and Japan, towards further strengthening trade and investment ties.
“India's prowess in software is complemented by Japan's strength in hardware”
“India has a conducive business environment which Japan can take advantage of”
“The growing convergence of views between Japan and India under our Special Strategic and Global Partnership has the capacity to drive the regional economy and development, and stimulate the global growth. ”
“We want to build roads and railways in a faster way;· We want to explore minerals and hydrocarbons in a greener way;· We want to build homes and civic amenities in a smarter way; and· We want to produce energy in a cleaner way.
The leaders witness exchange of MoU of Cooperation between Gujarat Govt and Hyogo Prefecture
“Greater participation & engagement of industries in Hyogo will benefit Japan & India's MSME sector for which it could prove transformational”
The visit that began with the warmth of the community in Tokyo wound down with a special diaspora engagement in Kobe.
“When Japan faced hardship in 2011, great people of Japan endured with courage. Indians will also emulate them in facing any tough challenge”
