India, Japan Look Forward To Visit By PM Kishida To India To Mark 70 Years Of Ties
Melbourne/New Delhi, Feb 11 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi held their first in-person meeting in Melbourne on Friday during which they agreed to further enhance bilateral ties to mark the 70th anniversary of their relations, including with a visit to India by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. EAM said in a tweet that their conversation, on the sidelines of the Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting, followed up on two virtual summit discussions they prepared for the annual summit between their leaders.
“Good to meet FM @hayashi09615064 in person. Our conversation followed up on two virtual discussions. We prepare for our Annual Summit of Leaders.” A readout of the talks by Japan’s foreign ministry said they lasted for about 45 minutes. Hayashi stated that together with Jaishankar, he would like to further enhance the Japan-India diplomatic relationship which marks the 70th anniversary this year.
“He also mentioned that it is becoming more important for both countries, who share the basic values and have advocated the importance of rule-based order, to address common challenges under the “Special Strategic and Global Partnership” in this increasingly uncertain international community.” In response, Foreign Minister Jaishankar stated that the 70th anniversary is an opportunity to strengthen the Japan-India ties even further and he is keen to expand the cooporations with Japan in various fields toward realizing “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
He also expressed his hope to welcome Prime Minister Kishida in India. The two ministers reiterated the importance of resuming annual mutual visit of both leaders by realizing Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to India at an appropriate timing that is convenient for both sides. They concurred to hold the next round of, Japan-India Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (”2+2”) to confirm to promote cooperation in terms of security, in addition to deepening cooperation through multi-layered dialogues and meetings in such fields as cyber, space, maritime, disarmament and non-proliferation, UN Security Counci. The two ministers reaffirmed to promote economic cooperation including in digital, climate change countermeasures, healthcare, as well as economic security cooperation in the fields such as Beyond 5G, undersea cables, and supply chain resilience, in addition to cooperation in India’s North Eastern region and steadily advancing the High-Speed Rail Project, the flagship project of Japan and India.
They also shared the view to promote people-to-people interactions and cultural exchanges, including the utilization of the talented IT workers and the Specified Skilled Workers of India, while taking advantage of various opportunities of the 70th anniversary. The two ministers reaffirmed to work closely with each other and also with the U.S. and Australia toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” In particular, they concurred to cooperate to enhance connectivity through the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative and Japan-India cooperation in third countries.
The two Ministers also confirmed that Japan and India will strengthen cooperation in the area of international law in view of the importance of the rule of law for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” the readout said. The two ministers exchanged views on cooperation in regional affairs such as Myanmar and international cooperation including WTO, disarmament and non-proliferation, UN Security Council reform. The two ministers welcomed the candid discussions through the first face-to-face meeting and confirmed that they will continue their close communication, it added.
