During Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s two-day visit to India, he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks on strengthening cooperation in the areas of clean energy, semiconductors, and co-development of military hardware, as well as dealing with regional security challenges. They also discussed reliable supply chains in semiconductors and other critical technologies, and the progress made towards achieving the target of Japanese investment of 5 trillion yen in India over the next five years. They signed an agreement on the fourth tranche of a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency worth 300 billion yen for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project. Additionally, they discussed India’s G20 presidency and Japan’s G7 presidency, and the importance of including views of the Global South in both processes.
Japanese PM Tries Indian Snacks with PM Modi During Visit to India
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in India on March 20, 2023, for a two-day visit. During his stay, he tasted different Indian snacks including “golgappas” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Golgappa is a common Indian street food that is known by different names across the country, such as “panipuri,” “fuchka,” “gupchup,” and “pani ke patashe.” In a video shared on Modi’s official social media accounts, Kishida was seen asking for one more golgappa.
Modi and Kishida also tried “aam panna,” “lassi,” and fried idlis in the lush environs of the Budhha Jayanti Park in the national capital while discussing ways to strengthen cultural ties. The two leaders were seen sipping tea from an earthen cup sitting on a bench in the park, engrossed in talks.
One of the aspects that connect India and Japan is the teachings of Lord Buddha. PM Kishida and Modi visited the Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi, where they offered floral tributes at the statue of Buddha. Modi also gifted Kishida a sapling of the Bal Bodhi tree.
During their extensive talks, the Ukraine conflict and its implications, the situation in the Indo-Pacific, and ways to strengthen ties in key areas as well as co-development of military hardware were discussed. Kishida unveiled his government’s plan for a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ and expressed concern over Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of preventing coercion and upholding a rules-based international order in the region. The two leaders also discussed the Ukraine conflict and its implications.
Modi said that the India-Japan global partnership is based on shared democratic values and respect for the rule of law and promotes peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. He added that Japan is an “indispensable partner” for peace and stability in the region.
India and Japan Discuss Cooperation in Clean Energy and Military Hardware Development
The prime ministers of India and Japan, Narendra Modi and Fumio Kishida respectively, held extensive talks during Kishida’s two-day visit to India on March 20, 2023. They focused on significantly boosting cooperation in areas such as clean energy, semiconductors, and co-development of military hardware. They also discussed regional security challenges amidst the increasing assertiveness of China.
Modi said that the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership is based on shared democratic values and respect for the rule of law in the international arena. “Strengthening this partnership is not only important for both our countries, but it also promotes peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
Kishida delivered a lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs on Japan’s new plan for a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ (FOIP), extensively delving into the challenges being faced by Ukraine. He denounced Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, stating that any change of the status quo by force is not acceptable in any part of the world. Kishida also expressed concern over various challenges related to ‘global commons,’ such as climate and the environment, global health, and cyberspace.
Modi conveyed to Kishida that one of the areas of very strong cooperation between India and Japan could be co-innovation, co-design, and co-creation in the defence manufacturing sector. Both sides signed an agreement on the fourth tranche of a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) worth 300 billion yen (Rs 18,800 crore) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail.
The two leaders also discussed India’s G20 presidency and Japan’s G7 presidency and agreed on the importance of including views of the Global South in both processes.
In his media statement, Modi said he and Kishida exchanged views on defence equipment and technology collaboration, trade, health, and digital partnership. Japanese officials said India and Japan should not condone any unilateral change of status quo anywhere, including Asia.
The oceans are becoming more important and significant. “As we have seen with the aggression against Ukraine, major geopolitical shifts are taking place at the heart of the vast Eurasian Continent. One could say it is a tragedy,” Kishida said in his speech at the think tank.
Modi said both countries are “progressing fast” on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project. He added that the India-Japan global partnership is based on shared democratic values and respect for the rule of law and promotes peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
India and Japan Discuss Reliable Supply Chains and Investment
During the extensive talks between the prime ministers of India and Japan, Narendra Modi and Fumio Kishida respectively, they had a fruitful discussion on the importance of reliable supply chains in semiconductors and other critical technologies. They also discussed the progress made towards achieving the target of Japanese investment of 5 trillion yen in India over the next five years, which is equivalent to Rs 3,20,000 crore rupees. Modi said there has been good progress in this direction.
Modi added that “fast” progress is being made on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project. He also emphasized the importance of working together on their respective priorities and interests as India is chairing the G20 and Japan is chairing the G7 this year.
In his remarks, Kishida expressed Tokyo’s commitment to supporting India’s further development and creating significant economic opportunities for Japan through their growing economic cooperation.
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