Tuesday, 21 March 2023

From golgappas to diplomacy: A look at Japan PM Fumio Kishida's India visit, talks with PM Modi

It was a day full of diplomacy and Indian delicacies as Indian PM Narendra Modi hosted his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in New Delhi on Monday.

The duo discussed boosting India-Japan ties in defence, healthcare, technology, and other sectors.

On a lighter note, PM Modi and Kishida were also seen enjoying famous Indian delicacies like golgappas, lassi and aam panna in the capital’s Buddha Jayanti Park. Videos and pictures of the duo have gone viral on social media.

PM Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida tries golgappes in New Delhi’s Buddha Jayanti Park on 20 March 2023. PM Modi also shared a video of the experience of Facebook.

The park was developed to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of Gautam Buddha’s birth.

In a tweet, PM Modi said, “one of the aspects which connect India and Japan is the teachings of Lord Buddha.”

Keeping the focus on the Buddhist heritage, PM Modi gifted a sandalwood Buddha statue encased in a ‘kadamwood jali box’ to Kishida who is in India on a state visit.

The artwork is associated with the rich heritage of Karnataka, PTI reported.

Officials told the news agency the art of sandalwood carving is an exquisite and ancient craft that has been practiced in the southern Indian state for centuries, and this craft involves carving intricate designs into blocks of fragrant sandalwood, creating intricate sculptures, figurines and other decorative items.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a Sandalwood Buddha Statue from Karnataka in Kadamwood jali box to Japanese PM Fumio Kishida. ANI

Sandalwood tree (Santalum album), a species native to India, has been an important part of Indian culture for centuries, and it is widely regarded as one of the most valuable and prized woods in the world.

PM Modi, Kishida discuss Ukraine & Indo-Pacific

Apart from discussions on bilateral and historic ties, the duo also held talks on the Russia-Ukraine war.

Hours after the talks, Kishida unveiled his government’s much-awaited plan for a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ and came down heavily on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine saying it triggered a fundamental challenge to defend peace.

The Japanese prime minister described India as an “indispensable partner” for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and underlined the importance of preventing coercion and upholding a rules-based international order in the region.

According to Japanese officials, the two leaders also discussed the Ukraine conflict as well as its implications.

In his media statement, Modi said 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.

In their talks, the leaders largely focused on significantly boosting cooperation in areas of clean energy, semiconductors and co-development of military hardware besides exploring ways to deal with regional security challenges amidst the increasing assertiveness of China.

“The India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership is based on our shared democratic values, and respect for the rule of law in the international arena,” Modi said in his media statement.

“Strengthening this partnership is not only important for both our countries, but it also promotes peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In our conversation today, we have reviewed the progress made in our bilateral relations,” he added.

Modi conveyed to Kishida that one of the areas of very strong cooperation between India and Japan could be co-innovation, co-design co-creation in the defence manufacturing sector, officials said.

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.

The two sides also 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.

Modi said both sides are “progressing fast” on the project.

Delivering a lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs on Japan’s new plan for a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ (FOIP), Kishida extensively delved into the challenges being faced by Ukraine and said any change of status quo by force is not acceptable in any part of the world.

“Russia’s aggression against Ukraine obliges us to face the most fundamental challenge; defending peace. Various challenges related to ‘global commons’ such as climate and the environment, global health and cyberspace, have become more serious,” he said While Japan and India are special strategic and global partners, New Delhi has not been forthcoming in criticising Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

“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.

Kishida also denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I reiterate that Japan strongly condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and will never recognise it. Prime Minister Modi too expressed to President Putin that ‘today’s era is not of war’,” he said.

Japanese officials said India and Japan should not condone any unilateral change of status quo anywhere, including Asia.

In his media statement, Modi said he and Kishida exchanged views on defence equipment and technology collaboration, trade, health, and digital partnership.

There was also a fruitful discussion on the importance of reliable supply chains in semiconductors and other critical technologies, he said.

“Last year, we had set a target of Japanese investment of 5 trillion yen in India in the next 5 years, that is, Rs 3,20,000 crore rupees. It is a matter of satisfaction that there has been good progress in this direction,” Modi said.

Modi said “fast” progress is being made on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project.

“Our meeting today is special for another reason as well. 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,” Modi said, adding he explained in detail to Kishida about India’s priorities for its G20 Presidency.

In his remarks, Kishida said Tokyo’s economic cooperation with New Delhi continues to grow rapidly and it will not only support further development of India but create significant economic opportunities for Japan.

Talks on regional challenges

Briefing reporters, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said Modi and Kishida held substantive discussions commensurate with the depth of the India-Japan engagement and that the talks covered cooperation in areas of defence and security, economic partnership, climate and energy, people-to-people exchanges and skill development.

Asked whether challenges being faced by the two countries from China figured in the talks, Kwatra indicated that the matter figured in the meeting.

“They spoke about the challenges that we face in the region and how India and Japan and other like-minded countries can work together to address those challenges and cooperate in the wider expanse of the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

On whether the situation in eastern Ladakh was discussed, he said,”No”.

Prime Minister Modi also conveyed to Kishida that one of the areas of very strong cooperation between India and Japan could be co-innovation, co-design co-creation, Kwatra said.

The foreign secretary said PM Modi made it clear to his Japanese counterpart that when it comes to private investment and foreign direct investment in the field of defence, the two spheres are completely open in India.

Kwatra said the Japanese companies are not only invited but are also encouraged to harness the opportunities and advantages that are inherent in the Indian manufacturing ecosystem and that the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative is not just for India but also for the rest of the world.

He said the two leaders also discussed regional issues of significance including the Indo-Pacific.

Noriyuki Shikata, cabinet secretary for public affairs in Japan’s PMO, said Japan will look at projects in India’s Northeast.

Shikata said India and Japan should not condone any unilateral change of status quo anywhere, including Asia.

With inputs from PTI

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