Japan-India Summit Meeting
[Provisional translation]
On May 24, commencing at 6:20 p.m. for approximately 70 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Japan-India Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, who was visiting Japan to attend a QUAD (Japan-Australia-India-U.S.) Leaders' Meeting. The Summit Meeting was followed by a dinner meeting, which started at 7:44 p.m. for approximately 50 minutes. The overview of the two meetings is as follows.
1. Introduction
(1) Prime Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to India in March, and stated that the reciprocal visits realized between the two countries in the year commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations demonstrates the solid Japan-India ties. Prime Minister Kishida also stated that he was encouraged that the QUAD Leaders' Meeting had served as an opportunity to send a strong message on the importance of the rule of law and opposition to any unilateral change of the status quo by force.
(2) In response, Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Kishida for his hospitality and said that his visit to India in March was a milestone in accelerating their bilateral relations. He stated that Japan and India, which celebrates the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, are natural partners and that in the post-COVID-19 world, the partnership between the two countries with shared values will be of utmost importance. Prime Minister Modi also stated that the QUAD framework is very important for a free, open, inclusive, and rule-based vision of the Indo-Pacific and that he was pleased with the success of the QUAD Leaders' Meeting, which was hosted by Japan this time.
2. “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”
(1) The two leaders concurred that it is important for like-minded countries to work closely to further promote efforts to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” all the more because of the current circumstances amid difficult international situations.
(2) Based on the outcome of the QUAD Leaders' Meeting, the two leaders concurred to steadily promote practical cooperation in various fields to deliver concrete benefits to countries in the region. In light of this, they welcomed the signing of the $100 million loan facility between Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Export-Import Bank of India as an outcome of the Quad Vaccine Partnership.
(3) The two leaders shared the view to work together to develop Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) into an inclusive framework that will bring substantive benefits to the region.
(4) They also discussed the situation in Sri Lanka and confirmed that they will cooperate with each other in light of the current economic crisis and deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country.
3. Bilateral relations
(1) The two leaders had extensive discussions on bilateral relations and confirmed that they will continue to develop the "Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership" on the basis of the outcome of the Japan-India Summit Meeting held in Delhi in March. They also concurred to coordinate to realize Prime Minister Modi's visit to Japan as part of the annual mutual visit between the two countries at a mutually convenient time.
(2) The two leaders welcomed the defense collaboration between the two countries being strengthened as exemplified by Malabar exercise, a joint exercise among Japan, India, U.S. and Australia, joint exercises including the application of ACSA as well as high-level exchanges, while also concurring to coordinate for the early implementation of the first joint fighter exercise. They also confirmed that the second Japan-India Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers meeting (“2+2”) will be held at an early date with a view to promoting cooperation on the security front, primarily in defense equipment and technological cooperation.
(3) The two leaders confirmed that they will promote active investment by Japanese companies in India in light of the 5-trillion-yen target of public and private investment and financing from Japan to India over the next 5 years, which was set on the occasion of Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to India in March, while also concurring on the importance of the Indian side further improving the business environment for smooth operations of Japanese companies in India. The two leaders also confirmed that they will further address common issues of economic security, including cooperation for the diversification and enhancement of supply chains through the "India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership" and other programs as well as for the building of safe and secure telecommunication network.
(4) The two leaders concurred to promote the "Clean Energy Partnership" announced during Prime Minister Kishida's visit to India in March to achieve carbon neutrality and ensure energy security at the global level, and to promote concrete cooperation in the areas of hydrogen, ammonia and LNG through the "Japan-India Energy Ministerial Dialogue" and other initiatives. The two leaders also confirmed that they will continue consultations toward the establishment of a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) between Japan and India. Furthermore, the two leaders welcomed the recent signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the “International Solar Alliance (ISA)” that India promotes and the Japanese Government and related organizations.
(5) The two leaders welcomed the recent signing of a yen loan for the third phase of the high-speed rail project and confirmed that they will continue to make steady progress in the high-speed rail project, a flagship project of Japan and India.
(6) The two leaders concurred to promote human and cultural exchanges, based on reciprocal visits between Japan and India during the year commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.