JICA President Akihiko Tanaka visited India from March 8 to 14. In terms of bilateral relations with India, the year 2022 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India, and with Japan presiding over the G7 and India the G20 this year, cooperation between the two countries has become even more important.
In addition to meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Finance Minister Sitaraman, Foreign Minister Jaishankar, and other key government officials, President Tanaka inspected cooperative projects and confirmed the strengthening of ties with India, Japan’s largest ODA partner.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Modi, the two leaders exchanged views on future cooperation in the field of infrastructure, and agreed on the steady implementation of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project, which was once agreed upon between former Prime Minister Abe and Prime Minister Modi and has become a symbol of India-Japan friendship. They also exchanged views on Japan-India cooperation in the field of education, and Prime Minister Modi expressed interest in Japanese-style education, cooperation between Japanese and Indian universities, and promotion of Indian students to study in Japan.
During the meeting with Finance Minister Sitaraman, he expressed his appreciation for the cooperation in the infrastructure sector as well as in diverse sectors and regions, including the social sector. They also agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries as India is not only a recipient country but also a partner that can take responsibility for the completion and quality of projects.
During the meeting with Foreign Minister Jaishankar, in order to further strengthen Japan-India relations, the two sides exchanged views on cooperation in the field of infrastructure as well as cooperation to strengthen Japan-India human resource exchange in areas such as Japanese language education and technical training. They also confirmed the importance of improving connectivity between the northeast region of India and the Matabari Port in Bangladesh.
In addition, we met with Canto G20 Sherpa (former President of the National Policy Board of India (NITI Aayog)) and the Chief Minister of the State of Syndheshtra to exchange views on the G20 meeting, progress on existing projects, and future cooperation.
In addition, President Tanaka observed Shiatsu massage instruction at a school for the blind, the site of the Overseas Cooperation Volunteers’ activities, and praised the efforts of the Volunteers and the implementing organization. He expressed his hope that the activities of the Volunteers will expand opportunities for the disabled to participate in society.
Furthermore, President Tanaka took a test ride on the Delhi Metro, a symbol of Japan-India cooperation, with which Japan has been cooperating for more than 20 years from its initial operation to the present. At the Metro Museum attached to the Metro station, he received explanations from the President of Delhi Metro and others, and praised the safe and secure Delhi Metro for improving the quality of life of Delhi citizens, facilitating the commuting of women, and promoting social participation.
In Mumbai, they visited the construction sites of the Mumbai Bay Crossing Highway Project and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project, which are expected to be completed by the end of this year. President Tanaka confirmed the progress of the projects and the safety-first approach to construction, and expressed his expectations for the economic and social impact that the improved connectivity of the Mumbai metropolitan area will bring.
JICA will continue to support infrastructure and social sector development through financial cooperation, technical cooperation, and the dispatch of overseas cooperation teams, thereby contributing to further economic and social development in India and closer Japan-India relations.
© Source JICA
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