Islamabad, 30 June 2023 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has accepted an invitation from the Japanese Government to visit Japan from 1-4 July 2023. This visit marks a significant step in reestablishing leadership-level contacts between Pakistan and Japan after a considerable period of hiatus.
Revival of Leadership-Level Contacts between Pakistan and Japan
The visit of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari signifies the revitalization of leadership-level engagement between Pakistan and Japan. This diplomatic move highlights the mutual commitment to strengthen bilateral ties and foster closer cooperation in various areas of common interest.
Delegation Level Talks and Meetings with Japanese Officials
During his visit, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will engage in delegation-level talks with his Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi. These discussions will encompass a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues to promote mutual understanding and cooperation.
Additionally, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan will have the opportunity to call on the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, and hold a meeting with the National Security Advisor of Japan, Takeo Akiba. These high-level meetings will provide a platform for in-depth discussions on strategic matters and further strengthen the bonds between the two countries.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations and Trade Opportunities
Pakistan and Japan share a long-standing and time-tested relationship, characterized by warmth, cordiality, and commonality of views on various regional and global issues. This visit will serve as an occasion to reinforce these ties and explore avenues for enhanced economic cooperation, trade partnerships, and investment opportunities between the two nations.
Enhancing Manpower Import and Trade Cooperation
Recognizing the importance of human resource exchange, the Foreign Minister is also expected to engage with senior officials and executives representing prominent business houses and entities involved in importing Pakistani manpower to Japan. These interactions aim to foster stronger cooperation in the field of labor migration and create more opportunities for Pakistani workers to contribute to Japan’s thriving economy.
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As part of his itinerary, the Foreign Minister will deliver a talk at the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), a prestigious think tank in Japan, further promoting dialogue and sharing perspectives on regional development and economic growth.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s visit to Japan signifies a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, fostering cooperation, and exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two nations.
With delegation-level talks, meetings with top Japanese officials, and engagements on trade and manpower import, this visit holds immense potential to deepen the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Japan.
Pakistan-Japan 13th Bilateral Political Consultations
The 13th round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) between Pakistan and Japan took place today in Tokyo, signifying the commitment of both countries to enhance their mutual relations.
Led by the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Asad Majeed Khan, and the Senior Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Shigeo Yamada, the consultations aimed to address a wide range of issues and foster greater understanding between the two nations.
During the bilateral consultations, the representatives from Pakistan and Japan engaged in comprehensive discussions covering all aspects necessary for strengthening their bilateral ties.
The talks focused on crucial matters such as global politics, increasing trade volume, economic assistance, advancing connectivity, and science and technology cooperation. Emphasis was also placed on fostering people-to-people connections, acknowledging their significance in deepening the bond between the two nations.
In a noteworthy development, Japan recently announced its commitment to providing 2.25 million USD in aid to Pakistan for human resource development. This aid package will not only contribute to Pakistan’s social development but also create opportunities for government officials to pursue higher education.
The program will enable Pakistani officials to pursue MPhil and Ph.D. degrees in Japan, further strengthening the educational ties between the two countries.
In addition to the bilateral consultations, the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Asad Majeed Khan, held separate meetings with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Takei Shunsuke, and the National Security Advisor, Takeo Akiba.
These discussions provided a platform to delve into specific concerns and exchange views on matters of mutual interest. The engagements aimed to deepen the understanding between Pakistan and Japan on various regional and global issues.
