India Japan Global Partnership example essay topic

Indo-Japanese bilateral ties is all set to emerge stronger and with a renewed vigour, said the visiting Japanese Vice Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Tadakatsu Sano at a meeting organised by CII here today. He expressed his happiness at the recent initiatives taken by the Government of India, to attract more foreign direct investments (FDI) in the country. Mr Sano spoke highly of Disinvestment Minister, Mr Arun Shourie's efforts to make Indian economy more strong and stable. The Japanese minister also said that he had a free and fair discussion with Mr Govinda rajan, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

The Minister, however, said that it is not enough to merely share information but efforts must be made to address the problems that afflict the two countries - albeit minor ones. He stressed on the need to do away with all the hurdles and create a congenial atmosphere so that Japanese investors can invest without any fear and further delay. Welcoming FDI in Japan, Mr. Sano urged the Indian business community to invest in Japan and said that he looked forward to Indian cooperation for their economic development. The Japanese minister expressed great concern at the lowering of Japanese FDI in India and asserted that China's recent emergence as the most vibrant economy has forced Japan to look eastward and more particularly in ASEAN.

He, however, , allayed fears of lower FDI's in India and assured the Indian business community of continued cooperation to enhance investments. Talking on a wider note, the minister informed that Tokyo would play host to a mini-ministerial level meet to discuss market access, agriculture and training services with India and continue the dialogue, which was initiated at the WTO talks in Doha. Lauding CII's long standing efforts to foster friendly Indo-Japan ties, the minister said that CII could become the spokesperson of India and the Indian economy. Earlier, Mr Brijmohan Lall Munja l, former CII President, while welcoming the distinguished Minister, said that the Indo-Japanese relations have been propelled into a new phase of friendship and co-operation.

He welcomed the discontinuation of economic measures towards India by the Japan. He said that Japan's ODA assistance to projects like the Delhi Mass Rapid Transport System, Simhadri Thermal power project, Viz ag Transmission project and West Bengal Transmission System project just goes on to show Japan's concrete efforts to cooperate with India's efforts at upgrading economic infrastructure. Mr Lall, on behalf of CII also allayed fears of some sections of the Japanese investors and said that India offers one of the most stable environs for global business. He said that the two countries -who celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 100th anniversary of Indo-Japan association in 2002-2003 would bring forward a new era of business co-operation. To commemorate the occasion, CII would be organising the "India IT Exhibition" in Tokyo from 24-27 June 2003 and also sending a CII CEOs Mission from 10-11 March 2003 to Japan. India-Japan Bilateral Relations Diplomatic relations between India and Japan were established on April 28, 1952.

The relationship with India was marked by a special cordiality in the early part of the post-war years. This was due to a variety of reasons, including Indian Judge Radha Bind Pal's dissenting judgement at the Tokyo International War Crimes Tribunal in favour of Japan, India's waiving of all claims for war reparations; India signing a separate Peace Treaty and India's invitation to Japan to participate in the First Asian Games in Delhi. India as the country of origin of Buddhism and Neta ji and INA's association with Japan during the war also invoke friendly feelings among sections of the Japanese society. Prime Minister Nehru visited Japan in 1957. He was accorded a rousing reception and conferred honorary doctorates by Tokyo, Keio and Waseda universities.

Other PM level visits from the Indian side include that of Indira Gandhi (1969), Rajiv Gandhi (1984 & 1985), Narasimha Rao (1992) and Vajpayee (2001) and from the Japanese side Naka sone (1984), Kaif u (1990) and Mori (2000). President Dr. Rajendra Prasad visited Japan in 1958. President Venkataraman attended Emperor Hirohito's funeral in 1989 and the Enthronement of Emperor Akihito in 1990. Vice President Shri K.R. Narayanan visited Japan in 1995. From the Japanese side, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited India in 1960 as Crown Prince and Princess. Prince and Princess Akishino visited in 1992.

Japanese reactions to the nuclear tests in May 1998, led to a serious setback in our bilateral relations. Japan imposed 'economic sanctions' on India. These were unilaterally lifted on 26 October 2001. The then State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. I chita Yamamoto, visited India in October 1999.

This was the first political level visit from Japan since our nuclear tests in May 1998. The then External Affairs Minister Shri Jas want Singh visited Japan in November 1999, marking the normalisation of bilateral relations. During his visit, a number of official-level exchanges such as Foreign Secretary-level talks and Security dialogue were agreed upon. It was also agreed to continue cultural, scientific and student-level exchanges.

Raksha Mantri visited Japan in January 2000 at the invitation of the Japanese side. During his visit, both sides agreed to commence a regular security and defence related dialogue and expand defence personnel exchanges, education and training. He again visited Japan in June 2000 as our Special Envoy for the funeral of former PM Obuchi. Raksha Mantri again visited Japan in July 2002 on the invitation of his Japanese counterpart. The then Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori visited India in August 2000. This was the first visit at this level since 1990.

Both sides agreed to build an India-Japan Global Partnership in the 21st century. The two sides agreed that economic relationship should be substantially enhanced. Both sides also agreed to cooperate in the Information Technology sector and to hold an IT Summit in Japan. (The IT Summit was held in September 2001 during the visit of Minister for Information Technology Shri Pramod Mahajan to Tokyo.) As a follow-up action on PM Mori's visit, an important joint Economic Mission of the Keidanren visited India from 29 October - 4 November 2000.

The Mission called on the President, External Affairs & Finance Ministers and had interactive sessions with our Ministers for IT and Power and with FI CCI and CII. Two Missions sponsored by Japan External Trade Organisation visited India in December 2000 and January 2001 to explore ways of promoting bilateral investment and economic cooperation. In the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US, former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori visited India on 28-30 October 2001 as a special envoy of the PM Koizumi. He called on our Prime Minister and handed over an official letter from Prime Minister Koizumi. He also met the Home Minister and Raksha Mantri. Mori conveyed that Japan regarded the 11 September terrorist attacks on the US as attacks against the whole of mankind, against freedom and democracy.

The attack in Srinagar on 1 October 2001 was seen in the same context and condemned. He added that Japan recognised that terrorism was a serious problem for India. It condemns terrorism wherever, whenever and for whatever reasons. On 26 October 2001, the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan unilaterally announced the discontinuation of economic measures imposed in response to nuclear tests conducted by India in May 1998. Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, paid a State visit to Japan on 7 - 11 December 2001. This was the first visit since Prime Minister Narasimha Rao's visit in 1992.

In Tokyo, the Prime Minister had an audience with the Emperor of Japan and held substantive discussions with Prime Minister Koizumi. The Japanese Foreign Minister, Finance Minister and senior political figures called on the Prime Minister. The two Prime Ministers agreed to concretize the multifaceted Global Partnership for the 21st Century, which was agreed to during PM Mori's visit to India in August 2000, which is based both on strategic convergences and economic complementarities. Discussions between the two Prime Ministers covered a wide range of issues including bilateral, regional and international issues, including, inter alia, international terrorism, UN reforms, regular ministerial level exchanges, institutionalization of defence exchanges, comprehensive security dialogue and Military-to-Military Consultations, co-operation in combating piracy, celebration of 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, co-operation in Information Technology and proposals from the India-Japan Eminent Persons' Group. Both sides agreed to hold a dialogue on counter-terrorism in the framework of the India-Japan Comprehensive Security Dialogue. A substantive India-Japan Joint Declaration was issued on 10 December 2001 in Tokyo.

Prime Minister delivered keynote addresses at major business meetings in Tokyo and Osaka. He also delivered a major address at a meeting of the Japan-India Parliamentary Friendship League and other Parliamentarians on 11 December 2001 in which he highlighted the strong objective commonalities on which the India-Japan Global Partnership is based. Japan strongly condemned the attack on the Indian Parliament on 13 December 2001. PM Koizumi wrote to Prime Minister on 14 December 2001 to say that his Government resolutely condemns terrorism in any form, wherever and whatever.

PM Koizumi also said that Japan is determined to work together with India for the international community's fight against terrorism. Since then, Japan condemned the various terrorist attacks in India and expressed sympathy and condolences to the families of victims. It maintains the position that terrorism cannot be justified, whatever kind of it may be, and resolutely condemns terrorism in any form as stated in the Japan-India Joint Declaration issued during the visit of Prime Minister Vajpayee to Japan in December 2001. During the stand-off between India and Pakistan, Government of Japan stated that it strongly expects that Pakistan will take all steps to effectively stop and prevent terrorist activities including infiltration across the line of control. Japan has been calling for Pakistan to stop infiltration across the Line of Control and to dismantle training camps. Japan expressed the hope that India, in light of its responsible position, as the major player in the region will exhaust all diplomatic efforts and work towards de-escalation as well as resumption of dialogue.

Japanese Foreign Minister Ms. Yori ko Kawaguchi, in her Policy Speech to the 154th session of the Japanese Diet on 4 February 2002, said: In our relations with India, the foremost Asian democracy, based on the Japan-India Joint Declaration issued at the time of the visit to Japan by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Japan as a global partner intends to advance co-operation in the political and security area, in addition to economy". EAM and Japanese FM Kawaguchi met in July 2002 in Brunei on the sidelines of ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting. They had earlier met in June 2002 when Shri Yash want Sinha as Finance Minister represented GOI at the Asia Cooperation Dialogue held in Thailand in June 2002. EAM and Ms. Kawaguchi again met in Seoul on the sidelines of the Second Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies in November 2002. Prime Minister Vajpayee and PM Koizumi met on 12 September 2002 during their visits to New York to attend the 57th session of the UN General Assembly. During the meeting both the Prime Ministers agreed that they look forward to further promoting bilateral relations in accordance with the India-Japan Joint Declaration issued on 10 December 2001 during the visit of Prime Minister to Japan.

Former Prime Minister Mr. Yoshiro Mori visited India on 20-22 October 2002 to attend the Japan Week organized by the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi. He called on the Deputy Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister. He also carried a letter from Prime Minister Koizumi to our PM. 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations: The year 2002 marks the 50th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and India. Both sides celebrated the 50th anniversary on 28 April 2002.

The Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of the two countries exchanged messages of felicitations. The External Affairs Minister hosted a special commemorative function on 26 April 2002. Commemorative stamps were released by Shri Pramod Mahajan, Minister for Communications, Information Technology & Parliamentary Affairs on that occasion. Japan released a commemorative stamp on 12 April 2002. The Indian Ambassador in Tokyo hosted a reception on 9 May 2002 to mark the occasion. A series of cultural and other activities organized by our Embassy in Tokyo in co-ordination with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and other Indian and Japanese organizations as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, inter alia, included Indian Food Festivals and Fashion Shows; Presentation of Guru dev Tagore's Dance Drama, Chandalika; Joint Philharmonic Orchestra by the National Philharmonic Orchestra of India and the Nippon Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra; Lecture Series on Indian Philosophy and Thought; Indian Mela at the Ueno Park; a month-long Indian Food Festival at 21 Prince Hotels chain at various places in Japan; Performances of Indian Classical Dance by Ms. Leela Samson; Exhibition of Indian Paintings; Investment Seminar, in which Shri Arun Shourie, Minister for Disinvestment was the keynote speaker; several Indian Cultural Nights at Tokyo, Nagano and Yokohama etc.

; Namaste India Cultural Festival and an Exhibition of Mathura Art (Shri Jagmohan, Minister for Tourism & Culture attended the opening ceremony). On 5 December 2002, their Imperial Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited the Exhibition of Mathura Art held in Tokyo as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations. The Crown Prince and Princess of Japan were the Chief Guests at the Orchestra performance held on 3 July 2002. Prince Tomohito Mikasa and Prince and Princess Tak amado, both first cousins of the Emperor and Prince and Princess Hitachi, the Emperor's younger brother also attended the events organised to commemorate the 50th anniversary.

Parliamentary Exchanges: A few Japanese parliamentary delegations visited India in 2002. These include Mr. Hat oyama, President, Democratic Party of Japan and Leader of the Opposition in January, two delegations led by Dr. Taro Nakayama, Special Envoy of Prime Minister Koizumi and Mr. Hose i No rota, former Defence Minister in April, a delegation of the Upper House of the Diet led by Mr. Kenji Mana be, Chairman of the Budget Committee in September and Mr. Kazuo Shri, Chairman of the Communist Party of Japan in December 2002. The Speaker of Lok Sabha was scheduled to lead an Indian Parliamentary delegation to Japan in October 2001. The visit is now expected to take place in the first half of 2003. Defence Exchanges Raksha Mantri visited Japan in January 2000 at the invitation of the Director General of the Japanese Self-Defence Agency; in June 2000 to represent GOI at the funeral of former PM Obuchi during which he also held discussions with Foreign and Defence Ministers; and on 5-10 July 2002 at the invitation of his counterpart Director General, Japanese Self Defence Agency. The Chief of Army Staff had paid his first ever-official visit to Japan in August 2001.

Japanese Chief of Air Staff visited India on 1-6 December 2002. There have been exchanges of naval ships. The JM SDF Training Squadron visited Mumbai during May 2000. Two of our Naval ships, INS Delhi and INS Kora also visited Japan in September 2000. Japan participated in the International Fleet Review held in February 2001 at Mumbai: the ship JDS Ama giri and Vice Admiral N. Maki moto participated. A training squadron of two ships "Kashi ma" and "Yama giri" of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Forces visited Chennai Port in May 2001.

Indian Naval Ship INS Mysore visited Japan in October 2002 to participate in the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force Fleet Review. Vice Chief of Naval Staff visited Japan on 8 - 14 October 2002 on that occasion. Contacts between the Coast Guards of the two countries continued to grow. India-Japan Coast Guard joint exercises were institutionalised in 2000.

The first India-Japan Coast Guard joint exercise was held in November 2000 at Chennai and a Japanese Coast Guard vessel PH Shiki shima visited India on that occasion. Our Coast Guard vessel "San gram" visited Japan in May 2001 to participate in the second joint Coast Guard exercises held at Kagoshima. Japanese Coast Guard ship Yashica visited India for the third India-Japan Coast Guards Joint Exercises held at Chennai on 6 - 11 November 2002 Indo-Japan Trade Japan is India's third largest trade partner, two-way trade during the past financial year (2001-02) being $3.54 billion of which Indian exports comprise $1.5 billion. The other items are garments, tea, cut flowers, spices, chemicals, bulk drugs, computer software, leather goods, etc. Japanese Investment in India: Japan presently ranks fourth in foreign direct investment in India, behind the United States, Mauritius and United Kingdom. 114886.5 (US $3109.2) Rs.

49088.5 (US$1251.3) The cumulative approval of Japanese FDI in India is around US $3.1 billion. The actual inflow of Japanese investment from 1991 to August 2002 was around US $1251.3 million. The sectors attracting maximum Japanese investment are transportation (28%), telecommunications (18%), fuel (13.5%), chemicals (12.17%) & trading (6.9%). There are also a large number of Japanese technical collaborations, accounting for nearly 7% of total foreign technical collaborations in India.

Japanese technical collaborations are concentrated mainly in the areas of electrical industry (26%), transportation (24%), chemicals (9%), industrial machinery (6%) and metallurgy (5%). Japanese investors in India, include Suzuki, Sony, Mitsubishi, Honda, YAK, NTT and Toyota. On 16 October 2002, Minister for Disinvestment Shri Arun Shourie was the keynote speaker for the "India-Japan Economic Symposium - Fostering Japan India Cooperation through IT", organised by the Embassy of India in Tokyo in collaboration with the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Japan's largest economic paper), to commemorate the 50th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations. In his keynote address, Shri Shourie said that the Global Partnership between India and Japan and the Joint Declaration announced during PM's visit to Japan in December 2001, constituted a vision for the future of India and Japan, who are natural partners in the economic, strategic and political fields for the maintenance of balance of power in Asia. During the visit, Shri Shourie met Mr. Takeo Hira numa, Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry and Mr. Nobuteru Ishihara, Japanese Minister of State for Administrative & Regulatory Reforms. Co-operation in the field of IT: For the last few years, interaction in this field has increased.

The strength of India in the field of IT is now well recognised in Japan not only in the cities like Tokyo and Osaka but also in smaller cities. Some of the smaller cities in fact have taken active interests to promote IT cooperation with India. Minister of IT & Communications Shri Pramod Mahajan visited Japan in September 2001 as the head of a delegation from our IT industry. He met the Minister for Economy, International Trade & Industry (MET), Minister of State for Fiscal & IT Policy, the Senior Vice Minister for Public Management, Home, Post & Telecommunications and the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan. An India-Japan IT Summit was also held during the visit.

Our exports to Japan during the period 1995-96 to 2001-02 are as follows: Year 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 (% growth from prev. year 15.2 105.7 122.7 44.2 17 82.4 45.5 Amount (US$ Million) 16.0 29.4 60.7 83.3 95.3 162.6 236.8 (Source: Electronics and Software Export Promotion Council) Now there are more than 40 Indian software companies in Tokyo and surrounding areas. About 800 Indian software engineers are working in Indian and Japanese companies as well as multinational software companies in Japan. Official Development Assistance: India has been one of the most important beneficiaries of Japanese foreign assistance since the very inception of Yen Loan assistance in 1958, being chosen as the first recipient. Over the years, Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) has expanded to cover a wide range of areas from infrastructure, such as, electric power development to health sector, and from afforestation to preservation of cultural heritage, making Japan the largest bilateral donor for India during the period 1986-1999. On 26 October 2001, Japan unilaterally lifted economic sanctions. As a follow up of the decisions taken during the visit of Prime Minister to Japan in December 2001, an Official Development Assistance (ODA) Mission visited India in March 2002.

Four priority areas mutually identified for ODA are Infrastructure Development, Environment Conservation, Poverty Alleviation and Rural Development. Fresh project proposals have been posed by the Ministry of Finance. Missions from Japan visited India in September and October 2002 to discuss new and ongoing projects. During the visit of our Prime Minister to Japan in December 2001, Prime Minister Koizumi agreed to consider Japanese assistance for projects to clean both the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. A Japanese Contact Mission visited India in March 2002 to discuss further details on such assistance with concerned departments and agencies of Government of India. In September-October 2002 a Preparatory Study Team from Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) for Ganga Clean Up Project visited India and the Scope of Work was signed between JICA and Ministry of Environment & Forests for study on Water Quality Management Plan for Ganga River.

Tourism: During the visit of PM Vajpayee to Japan in December 2001, PM conveyed our determination to comprehensively develop the Buddhist circuit in India to attract pilgrims and tourists from Japan and other countries. Addressing the Japanese business and Industry leaders he said: "Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India such as Ajanta, Ellora, Bodh Gaya, Na landa, Varanasi, and Sanchi have always attracted many Japanese tourists and pilgrims. We will further improve facilities on the Buddhist circuit and seek Japanese collaboration in this endeavour". Shri Jagmohan, Union Minister for Tourism & Culture visited Japan on 28-30 October 2002. He attended the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition on Mathura Art at the Tokyo National Museum on 28 October 2002 and also made a presentation on Indian Tourism Products and the New Tourism Policy. There has been a sharp decline in the number of tourist visas issued in 2002 comparing to those issued in the previous years.

Our Mission in Tokyo in 2002 issued 34,529 visas of which 20,929 were tourist visas. In 2001, the number of total visas was 45,098 of which tourist visas were 30,179. In the year 2000 the number was 54,320 of which tourist visas were 38,818. In 2002 there has been a decline of almost 50% from tourist visas issued in the year 2000. Total number of visas issued by our Post in Osaka in 2002 was 10,746 whereas it was 15,283 in 2001 and 20,532 in the year 2000. This again shows a near 50% decline in the number of visas issued in 2002 comparing to the year 2000.

Indian Community: There are about 8000 Indian nationals in Japan, half of whom are based in Osaka / Kobe region. The Indian community comprise mostly of businessmen engaged in trade and an increasing number of software professionals. The Government of India Tourist Office, Air India, Bank of India, State Bank of India, India Trade Promotion Organization, Marine Products Export Development Authority, MMT C Limited, Handicrafts and Hand looms Exports Corporation of India (HHE C), Shipping Corporation of India and New Indian Assurance Company have their offices in Tokyo... Bilateral Agreements between India and Japan Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in April 1952, major agreements / treaties concluded between Japan and India are as follows: 1.

India signed a peace treaty with Japan, choosing to disassociate itself from the San Francisco Peace Treaty and waiving all reparations claims against Japan June 1952 2. Agreement between India and Japan for Air Services November 1955 3. Cultural Agreement: The Mixed Cultural Commission was established in accordance with the Cultural Agreement between Japan and India. Its purpose is to promote mutual cultural / academic exchange between Japan and India. October 1956 3. Agreement on Commerce between India and Japan February 1958 4.

Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation in respect of Taxes on Income June 1960 5. The India-Japan Business Co-operation Committee February 1966 6. Agreement on Co-operation in the Field of Science and Technology March 1977 a. The Agreement aims to enhance interaction and co-operation between the two countries in the field of science and technology. b. Since its inception, a number of joint projects in the field of pure and applied sciences as well as technology in diverse fields have been taken up by research laboratories and universities of the two countries, and interaction between visiting scientists from India and Japan. c.

Joint Committee on India-Japan Cooperation in Science and Technology was established in accordance with the agreement in 1985. India and Japan, with a tradition of profound interchanges from time immemorial, have cultivated friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in April 1952 and contributed to the stability and prosperity in Asia and the World. At the beginning of the 21st Century, India and Japan resolve to take their bilateral relationship to a qualitatively new level. The foundation for this was laid when Mr. Yoshiro Mori, then Prime Minister of Japan and Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India agreed during the former Japanese Prime Minister's landmark visit to India in August 2000 to establish the "Global Partnership in the 21st Century".

During the historic visit to Japan by Prime Minister Vajpayee, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and he expressed satisfaction with the steady progress of this partnership, comprising multifaceted cooperation and declared their determination to strengthen the India-Japan Global Partnership, centering on two pillars, namely, broadening and deepening the development of bilateral relations and meeting global challenges. The two countries share the ideas of democracy and market economy, the spirit of tolerance, receptivity to diversity and the wisdom to benefit from the distinctive characteristics of their civilizations and cultures. In this perspective, the two leaders announced the common resolve that India and Japan should strengthen cooperation in order to contribute towards the stability and prosperity of Asia and the World in the 21st Century. Bilateral relations The two leaders renewed their recognition of the need for holding regular exchange of views at high levels, in order to facilitate the cross-sectoral dialogue on bilateral, regional and international issues, including regional cooperation. They confirmed to hold, in principle, Foreign Minister level meetings once a year, making use of appropriate opportunities at multilateral meetings. They also confirmed their intention to further promote exchanges between their Defense, Economic and Finance Ministers.

The two leaders reiterated that strengthened cooperation between the two countries is a positive factor for the maintenance of peace and stability. They also reaffirmed the importance of settling issues through peaceful dialogues. They were pleased with the successful outcome of the India-Japan Comprehensive Security Dialogue and India-Japan Military-to-Military Consultations, both of which were held in July this year. They confirmed that it is important to continue such dialogues and to annually hold the Comprehensive Security Dialogue covering the entire range of issues of mutual concern including disarmament and non proliferation as well as Military to Military consultations, and also confirmed that the two sides would hold a dialogue on counter terrorism in the framework of the India-Japan Comprehensive Security Dialogue. They expressed their satisfaction with the steady progress in defence exchanges and confirmed their further promotion. The two leaders highly appreciated the activities of the Japan-India Parliamentary Friendship Association in Japan, which has continued to deepen mutual understanding between the two countries.

They, at the same time, sincerely welcomed the decision to reestablish the India Japan Parliamentarian Association in India. They reiterated the importance of regular Parliamentary contacts between the two countries. The two leaders welcomed the proposals which the India Japan Eminent Persons Group submitted to them, after conducting frank and lively discussions in their two joint meetings. They thanked them for their effort which will help them in their endeavour to broaden and deepen the bilateral relationship.

On 26 October 2001, the Government of Japan announced by its Chief Cabinet Secretary's statement the decision to discontinue the measures on India, which the Japanese Government had taken in response to the nuclear tests conducted by India in May 1998. The Government of India expressed its appreciation and recalled, also with appreciation, the generosity of the people and government of Japan in assisting India's economic development. The two leaders acknowledged broad as well as deepened economic relations as an essential underpinning to strengthen the bilateral relationship. They shared the view that India's continuing economic reforms, Japan's recovery through structural reform and the existing complementarities between the two economies, will provide a solid foundation for further enhancing their economic relations.

Both sides confirmed that it is necessary to reduce impediments to bilateral trade and investment and to encourage economic growth with due consideration to environmental preservation. The two leaders recognized that unbounded opportunities exist especially in the area of Information and Communication Technology in which there are extraordinary strong complementarities between Japan and India. They strongly encouraged the interactive efforts in the private sector, such as visits of business delegations, human exchanges and closer dialogues on IT. In this regard, they highly appreciated the first meeting of their IT Ministers and the IT Eminent Persons' Meeting which were held in Japan in September this year. They expected that the exchanges in the private sector in this area will be further expanded, and to that end, they undertook to intensify their efforts. They earnestly hoped that their efforts should help to bridge the digital divide, so that the fruits of information revolution are shared equitably, by all.

At the onset of the 21st Century, the two leaders confirmed their intention to strengthen the historical and amicable links between the two countries through the promotion of exchanges in culture, education and science and technology. To that end, India will set up an Indian Cultural Centre in Tokyo. They also placed emphasis on encouraging a wide range of people to people exchanges in all areas including exchanges between local bodies and the youth of both countries. They confirmed their intention to cooperate so that various cultural events commemorating the 50th Anniversary of their diplomatic relations will be held successfully.

Both countries will issue special commemorative stamps to mark the occasion. Global Challenges The two leaders firmly maintained their position that terrorism cannot be justified wherever, whenever and for whatever reasons. They also resolutely condemned terrorism in any form. They believe that the fight against global terrorism has to be comprehensive and sustained, with the objective of total elimination of terrorism in all regions. They shared the view that the fight is not only against the perpetrators of terrorist acts, but should encompass those who provide support, sustenance and safe haven.

In this regard, they shared the view on the importance of the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions pertaining to terrorism and the twelve UN Counter Terrorism Conventions. They condemned the barbaric terrorist attacks on 11 September in the USA that posed a grave challenge to the international community as a whole and had given them and the International community fresh cause to work together to counter terrorism with firm resolve. They recognized the importance of strengthening the international legal framework against terrorism. In this context, Japan confirmed that it would cooperate with India for early adoption of India's proposed "Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism", which is presently under discussion in the UN. Both sides emphasized the need for constructive efforts on non proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

Japan took note of the efforts of the Government of India to develop a broad national consensus on signing the CTBT as early as possible, to not stand in the way of entry into force of that Treaty and to continue the unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing until the Treaty enters into force. The two leaders reiterated support for the immediate commencement of negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, and reaffirmed to cooperate in the UN and other fora towards the shared goal of eliminating nuclear weapons. They expressed their active support to the establishment of multi-laterally negotiated norms concerning missiles and confirmed cooperation in implementing vigilant export control. The two leaders confirmed that for long term peace and stability in Afghanistan, the future government should be broad based, fully representative of different ethnic and religious groups, should respect international law, establish good relations with all countries and should not be allowed to export terrorism. They noted that Afghanistan requires sizeable and sustained international assistance for its humanitarian needs, rehabilitation and reconstruction. They recognized the necessity to continue their dialogue and cooperation on Afghanistan.

The two leaders acknowledged the vital importance of the role of the United Nations in world peace, stability, and prosperity, and reaffirmed their intention to work together for the early realization of UN reforms, starting with the reform of the Security Council, including the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership. They also shared the belief that new permanent membership should include both developed and developing countries. In this regard, India and Japan, being in a position to play a significant role in the international community of the 21st Century, they reaffirmed their intention to continue to work together for the early accomplishment of reform of the UN Security Council. The two leaders recognized the importance of cooperation in matters pertaining to safety and security of international maritime traffic.

They also confirmed the importance of active cooperation between their coast guards and related agencies in such areas as anti-piracy and search and rescue operations. They expressed satisfaction with mutual visits between their coast guards patrol vessels and combined exercises between them. Both countries expect closer cooperation in this field and pledged to cooperate to undertake at an early date constructive discussions on a regional cooperation agreement on anti-piracy in a government Expert Working Group. The two leaders shared a strong commitment for an open and non-discriminatory rule based multilateral trading system. In this context, bearing duly in mind the launch of the Doha Work Programme, as decided upon at the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference, they reaffirmed that such trade negotiations should aim to further improve market access, clarify and improve WTO rules and disciplines and respond to the interests and concerns of all WTO Members including in particular, of developing countries. The benefits of globalization have spread unevenly at best.

The two leaders stressed the importance of the war against poverty and tackling the issue of income gaps between the developed and developing world to sustain public support for globalization. To this end, India and Japan reiterated their determination to cooperate with each other so that all countries and peoples can reap the benefits of globalization in an equitable manner. Addressing global environmental problems, including protection of the global climate system, is one of the biggest challenges facing human kind. Both sides welcomed agreement reached on rules, procedures and modalities to implement the Kyoto Protocol in particular the Three Mechanisms at the 7th Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 7) held in Morocco in November.

They expressed their confidence that this will accelerate the process of the entry into force of the Protocol in 2002. They also recognized that "the World Summit on Sustainable Development", to be held in Johannesburg in September 2002, will provide a significant opportunity to look at environmental issues in a comprehensive way. The two leaders reaffirmed to explore the possibility of cooperation in the fight against infectious diseases which retard development. The two countries will cooperate with each other against economic offences and transnational organized crimes, including the prevention and combat of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and trafficking in persons, especially women and children, in UN and other international fora. Prime Minister Vajpayee extended an invitation to Prime Minister Koizumi to pay an official visit to India at an early date and the invitation was accepted with pleasure. Dates would be settled through diplomatic channels.

The year 2002 will mark the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. This will provide a special opportunity, through interaction in a wide range of areas, to broaden and deepen sympathy and trust between the people of India and Japan and build a solid foundation for partnership between the two countries and fulfil our aspirations for a common future in a globalized world. Tokyo 10 December, 2001.