Today, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrives for bilateral talks.

EXACTLY A year after visiting India during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will return on Monday for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to sources, the key issues on the agenda are defence, security, economic relations, skill development, and renewable energy partnership.

“This meeting is being held at a significant time when India and Japan are holding the presidencies of the G20 and G7, respectively. “This visit provides us with an opportunity to collaborate and discuss how the G20 and G7 can work together to converge our priorities on crucial global challenges such as food and health security, energy transitions, and economic stability,” a source said.

Modi is slated to travel to Hiroshima as a guest country for the G7 leaders’ summit in May, and Kishida is anticipated to extend a formal invitation during his visit. Because of differences in approach between Delhi and Tokyo, the Russia-Ukraine war and its impact on geopolitics will be a major topic of discussion. On this subject, Tokyo stands solidly with the Western bloc, led by the United States. However, his main address in Delhi will be introducing his new strategy for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Kishida’s plan is expected to include non-military equipment and infrastructure support for countries in the region facing challenges from Beijing’s belligerence, such as the military buildup in the South China Sea. By making his statement in Delhi, he emphasises India’s centrality in the new strategy.

According to sources, the following topics will be on the agenda during the visit:

Defence and security

According to officials, defence and security cooperation has evolved as one of the most important foundations of the India-Japan friendship and has a vital role in safeguarding peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. “The successful conduct of our two countries’ first fighter jet exercise, ‘Veer Guardian’ in Japan in January 2023, was a big milestone,” added the insider. Following that came the fourth ‘Dharma Guardian Army exercise, held for the first time in Japan.

Significant progress has also been made in maritime security cooperation. Last November, India participated in the International Fleet Review in Tokyo as well as the Malabar exercise off the coast of Japan. JIMEX (Japan India Maritime Exercise) took place in September.

Commercial and economic ties

“Our bilateral trade reached USD 20.75 billion last year, which was the highest ever,” the insider stated.

Since 2011, India and Japan have established a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement addresses product trade, services, natural person mobility, investments, intellectual property rights, customs processes, and other trade-related concerns.

Clean energy partnership

This initiative, which was launched at last year’s annual summit, intends to encourage energy cooperation through diversified and realistic energy transitions that use all energy sources and technologies to achieve energy security, carbon neutrality, and economic prosperity.

Upon his arrival on Monday morning, Kishida will pay tribute at Rajghat, hold bilateral talks with Modi, deliver a speech, and visit the Buddha Jayanti Park, which contains a ‘Bal Bodhi Tree’. He’ll be leaving on Tuesday am.

Related Posts