New Delhi, 17 March 2022 (TDI): Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, will meet the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on a two-day official visit to India. To clarify, this is the 14th India-Japan summit which is expected to begin on March 19.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, confirmed the arrival of the Japanese Prime Minister for the India-Japan summit. In addition to that, Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, is paying this official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to MEA Spokesperson, the upcoming summit will provide an opportunity for both India and Japan to strengthen their bilateral relationship. India and Japan are enjoying collaboration in numerous key areas including economy and defense.
India-Japan Bilateral Relationship
On April 28, 1952, Japan and India established diplomatic ties. Subsequently, both states upheld high-level exchanges. In 1957, the Prime Minister of Japan, Nobusuke Kishi, visited India. In response, the Indian Prime Minister paid an official visit to Japan. Similarly, the President of India, Rajendra, visited Japan the very next year.
Moreover, in 1991, Japan helped India to withstand the balance of payment crisis. In the same vein, India and Japan established ‘Global Partnership’ and ‘Strategic and Global Partnership’ to further strengthen the bilateral ties.
However, in 2013, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited India. Eventually, Prime Minister Abe visited India in 2014. During his visit, Prime Minister Abe was Chief of Guest during the celebrations of Republic Day. As a result, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his first-ever visit to Japan out of India’s neighborhood. Thereafter, summits of Japan and India are held annually.
During the 13th annual summit, Japan and India further strengthened bilateral ties. The summit included matters related to ISA, Seven Yen loan projects, currency Swap Agreements, India-Japan Digital and Maritime self-defense cooperation, healthcare, and the food processing sector.
On the sidelines of the G-20 summit, Prime Minister visited Japan in 2019. Besides, Japan and India arrange several high-level consultations and dialogue processes to review the bilateral ties. This includes Ministerial level 2+2 and FOC Consultations, Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue, Defense ministers’ meeting, and NSA-level dialogue.
Apart from official visits, both countries enjoy strengthened collaboration in economy and defense. In the context of economic cooperation, both states have achieved better results in investment and ODA. Furthermore, key areas include India-Japan Digital Partnership and Start-up Hub, disaster risk reduction, skill development, health care, and Sister-State and Sister-City cooperation.
