India and Japan: News and Discussion

[Austin]

Most gains would be business related , Dont expect any anti-China stance from India or Japan as both countries have their own interest in maintaining good relations with China.

Some noise on joint military training/exercise and purchase on Amphibious aircraft may be done.

[Suraj]

Incorrect. Overwhelming majority of Japanese identify themselves as Buddhists--90+ million out of 127 million. Most continue to practice a mixture of Shinto and Mahayana Buddhism based more on philosophy than religious intent in spite of a 19th century law that separated them. It is pure Shinto that is practiced by a minority. They do consider themselves 'irreligious' however.

Japanese mostly either identify as Buddhist or not religious. However, this must be seen in the context of their own culture. Japanese concept of not being religious is not the same as western atheism at all. They simply do not use the label of a particular religion to identify themselves, but still perform rites and ceremonies, as well as attend the festivals associated with Shinto and Buddhist religions.

The religious separation act of the 1880s separating the long standing syncretic following of both Shinto and Buddhism, was a political move. It was designed to identify the emperor as a modern divine descendent of a Shinto deity, and to avoid diluting Shinto with Buddhism, which was viewed politically as an imported faith. But most today don't follow that directive, and both Shinto and Buddhism continue to be pursued. Typically births and weddings involve a Shinto ceremony (as mine did) and deaths follow a Buddhist ceremony.

[SSridhar]

Most gains would be business related , Dont expect any anti-China stance from India or Japan as both countries have their own interest in maintaining good relations with China.

Some noise on joint military training/exercise and purchase on Amphibious aircraft may be done.

True. However, the joint declaration will most certainly speak of 'freedom of navigation' in SCS & ECS.

The Ex. Malabar is being widened with inclusion of more countries, something which China objected to 4 years back. It will be also interesting to see how the ShinMayWa deal will be structured to reduce costs for India. Also, how Japan proposes to participate in financing the bullet train projects will be interesting. There are a number of infrastructure projects which could be signed.

The icing on the cake would be the nuke deal but it may not happen. Japan's support for India's entry into UNSC, NSG, wassenaar, Australia Group et al would also be watched.

[RKumar]

Most gains would be business related , Dont expect any anti-China stance from India or Japan as both countries have their own interest in maintaining good relations with China.

Some noise on joint military training/exercise and purchase on Amphibious aircraft may be done.

Nuclear, Bullet train, market access, quick implementations are all business activities but will have bigger impact. If Japan is offering technology at reasonable price and terms then we should not shy offering our support to them.

e.g. If we don't get bullet trains from Japan, China has already offered it via direct import at much lower price. So for me it is Japan Vs China, lets see who wins (pure business).

[Philip]

The chess pieces are moving with speed on the Indo-Asia-Pacific chessboard.

The CNO of the USN, has called for a cooperative "1000 ship strong navy which would consist of fellow travellers like Oz,Japan,SoKo,SPore,etc.,but has included India in the list!
It is very clear that the US is doing everything possible to inveigle India into joining a pan-Asian military alliance to do its dirty work against China and split the BRICS grouping in the process.India and Vietnam are currently engaged in a closer mil. cooperative posture,with the IN and IAF training Viet submariners and pilots to operate Kilo subs and SU-30s.
China watching what is happening as Vietnam draws even closer to India and is engaging with the US,is attempting to defuse to an extent its maritime spat over Indo-China Sea resources as the foll. report says.It would be very interesting to see if India is also welcomed into the SCO by China.

http://news.usni.org/2014/08/27/china-v ... NI+News%3A
China and Vietnam Call a Maritime Truce
By: Sam LaGrone
Published: August 27, 2014

An ongoing dispute over territorial rights in the South China Sea between China and Vietnam may have cooled, following a Wednesday Beijing meeting between both countries, according to reports in Chinese state-run media.

“The visit is aimed at coming up with measures ‘to cool the situation,’” Le Hai Binh, spokesperson of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a Wednesday statement reported by the Xinhua news service.

Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Liu Yunshan and Le Hong Anh, special envoy of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) hashed out a three point agreement that promised to:

“Implement a basic guideline for the resolution of China-Vietnam maritime issues signed in October 2011, make best use of the bilateral governmental border negotiation mechanism, seek basic and lasting solutions acceptable to both sides, study and discuss how to seek joint exploration of the South China Sea,” according to Xinhua.

The bilateral agreement follows months of tension after China sent the $1 billion Haiyang Shiyou 981 oilrig inside Vietnamese controlled waters in early May.

The state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) rig began searching for oil in waters both countries claim as their own.

China sent around 80 ships to protect the rig leading to several confrontations with Vietnamese costal patrols.

Onshore, protestors targeted Chinese businesses in several riots not only in Vietnam but also in Japan and South Korea.

China removed the rig from the disputed territory in mid-July.

What remains to be seen is how more bilateral cooperation between China and Vietnam means for relations and other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
File photo of the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oilrig. Xinhua Photo

File photo of the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oilrig. Xinhua Photo

Vietnam has been among China’s most vocal ASEAN critics regarding territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Leaders in Vietnam have also created more diplomatic ties with the U.S. and other rivals to China.

Analyst Carl Thayer believes that Vietnam is unlieky to place its bets solely on one interest in the region in an Aug. 4 commentary in The Diplomat.

“Vietnam’s cautious leaders are as unlikely to buckle under pressure from China as they are to lurch into an alignment with the United States. Vietnam and China have much diplomatic work to do to repair their damaged bilateral relations and restore strategic trust,” Thayer wrote.
“Vietnam is also likely to deepen its comprehensive partnership with the United States.”

However,Indo-Japanese ties is welcome but should stand on their own bi-lateral merit.The value of Indo-Japanese trade and military ties should be examined in relation with other "old friends" like Russia who have supplied N-sub tech and Akula N-subs,far deadlier than a few amphib aircraft that we might acquire.Japan and Russia have "unfinished business" ,disputes still festering since WW2.It appears that the Indo-Japanese bonhomie is more to do with cocking-a-snoop at China,showing that we too can establish close relations with China's enemies just as China sponsors Pak in all its perfidy against India.

I only wish that PM Modiji visits the Yasukuni shrine and honours the war dead of Japan,pays homage to Netaji and Justice Pal,who are commemorated at the shrine,as India was the only nation in WW2 to fight both against and with the Japanese.It would be a highly symbolic gesture to the Japanese people to show that we have forgiven them for their acts against Indian soldiers in WW2 ,and hat we also stood by them through Netaji and the INA as their allies,and disagreed with the "victor's (in) justice",as Justice Pal so honourably did in his dissenting judgement.

In any nuclear energy deal with Japan,under no circumstances should we mortgage our strategic deterrent,future testing,enlarging our N-arsenal as japan and the US wish to impose upon us,especially as Pak is massively increasing its own N-arsenal and even US N-experts say that its numbers of warheads and delivery systems are superior to what India possesses.

[anmol]

Transcript of Prime Minister's interaction with the Japanese media
August 29, 2014
Prime Minister: - I welcome you all.
After becoming the Prime Minister, I have always been waiting eagerly for this particular day- of my visit to Japan and of my meeting with Hon’ble Prime Minister Abe and interaction with the Japanese people. My visit to Japan will be one of my first visit and engagement with one of our key partner countries; outside the sub-continent. I am extremely excited about this visit and I am looking forward to my meeting with Hon’ble Prime Minister Abe tomorrow.
While Japan is the ‘land of the rising sun’; India is the land of the ‘shining sun’. While in Japan the sun rises, in India, the sun shines and it stays warm. The friendship between India and Japan; its historical and its cultural. Both our countries have been bonded together for centuries. In one way, ours is a relationship of an umbilical cord.
One of the key specialties of India-Japan friendship is that if in the Japanese life there has been most minute of contributions by an Indian, Japanese people and Japanese society have never forgotten about it. Even today, you can take the name of Justice Pal. Even the younger generation of Japanese get excited about it. During difficult times in Japanese society, Indians had contributed to building of a place where people could drink water. Till date, Japanese people have not forgotten about it. Whether it is Swami Vivekananda or it is Rabindranath Tagore or Subhash Chandra Bose, the love for them is reflected in Japanese society and the Japanese people.
In my relationships with Japan, when Iwas the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I had the opportunity to twice visit Japan. I have had very good relationships with the industrialists of Japan and the political leadership of Japan. As Chief Minister of Gujarat,whenever we used to host the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, Japan was the only country that remained a partner country for Vibrant Gujarat Summit for all of the Vibrant Gujarat Summits. It is important to know that Japan even as a big country; would still encourage the small state of Gujarat and partner with it. This I think is a result of the visionary leadership of Japan.
For the last thirty years, University in Gujarat has maintained very regular and dynamic student exchange programmes with Japanese Universities. When Gujarat was hit by an earthquake, Japan was one of the first countries to offer help and support. I have personally maintained great attachment and close relations with Japan.
This is my first visit to Japan as a Prime Minister. I am confident that India-Japan relations would strengthen. If India-Japan relations would strengthen further, remain close and open-to that extent, it would benefit the Asian countries and the world at large.
It is indeed a good sign, that after several years, Indian people, Indian public; has given a decisive mandate; a very clear mandate; for the formation of a stable government in India. Also in Japan, after a long time, there is a popular government. It is a very good and hearty coincidence that both countries are enjoying stable governments, with a clear mandate and majority. I think this acts as a great catalytic agent when the two heads of the government whose governments enjoy a stable and clear majority, meet together.
It is a matter of utmost happiness and great pride for me that I am visiting the city of Kyoto tomorrow. I myself was elected to Parliament from the city of Varanasi in India, that has great ancient history. Similarly the city of Kyoto has a great ancient history and heritage of the Japanese people. So it is a matter of great pride for me that as a Parliamentarian from the ancient Indian city I am travelling to a city that hosts the great ancient heritage of the Japanese people.
I am going to spend three-four days in Japan and meet with your representatives. I am sure we will get many more opportunities to hold such discussions.
Question:For the last two fiscal years the GDP of India has been below 5% - what reasons do you attribute to this low growth rate? What is the target GDP for this year and the next? What are the measures the government will take to fast track economic growth of India and how will India invite more investment especially in the infrastructure and manufacturing segment? What according to you will encourage investors?

Prime Minister: Regarding the question on economy, first of all you would appreciate that for the last several years, we have seen great period of global economic uncertainty... I believe that the people of India have voted for development with their decisive mandate. I think these two things, the vote for development and decisive mandate, I am confident, will take India to the highest levels of growth. We have already taken, as you would have seen in our last budget, certain new initiatives. Under less than 100 days, we have initiated several reforms. Whether they relate to labour reforms, ease of doing business in India or made in India movement or they relate to financial inclusion or FDI liberalization including in field of defence and insurance and skill development. In all these areas we have initiated several reforms. I think we have crossed the difficult situation that the country was facing. Within the first 100 days of this government, we have achieved stability and stopped the continued reversals that the country was facing. We have to move ahead now on the runway; I am confident that, very soon, we will attain even greater heights.

Question: During your forthcoming visit to Japan, what further progress do you expect in diplomatic, economic and security relations with Japan, particularly in terms of three major pending negotiations namely the civil nuclear pact, US-2 amphibious aircraft, and the high speed rail "Shinkansen" ?

Prime Minister: I see the choice of Japan as my first destination for a bilateral visit outside India's immediate neighbourhood as a recognition of Japan's importance in India's foreign policy and economic development and her place at the heart of India's Look East Policy. Our two countries enjoy consensus on the importance and potential of ourStrategic and Global Partnership across the political spectrum, the business community and people in all walks of life in the two countries. This is a partnership that is sustained by the convergence of our values and interests.

In the economic field, I see a lot of complementarity and synergy between the goals of Abenomics and what I am trying to achieve in India. Japan will always remain our preferred economic partner. Japan has supported India's infrastructure development over the years through generous ODA loans.

In the field of defence and security, I feel time has come for us to upgrade our relations. I see in the recent changes in Japan's defence export policies and regulations a possibility to engage in a new era of cooperation in high-end defence technology and equipment.

There has been significant progress in our negotiations on the civil nuclear agreement; on the US-2 amphibian aircraft; and in the field of high speed railway. It is my hope that my visit this time will pave the way for concrete cooperation on these fields.

Question: We have heard that you have planned to visit Hiroshima. Could you please confirm that you would visit Hiroshima as Prime Minister of India in the near future?

Prime Minister: I have visited Hiroshima in April 2007 during my visit to Japan as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. In future also, if presented with an opportunity, I would like to visit there again.

Question: Japan recently changed its defense policy to be more proactive and expanding the interpretation of the right of collective self-defense to have deeper commitment to regional security issues.While Japan seeks deepening defense cooperation with India, "Malabar 2014" India-US-Japan Naval drill marked a success last month.What is your opinion about Will India continue to hold trilateral or multilateral defense exercises that include Japan after next year? Do you plan to have India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultations?

Prime Minister: Defence relations constitute a strong underpinning of our Strategic and Global Partnership. We have a shared interest in working together with Japan and with other countries, to foster peace and stability in Asia and beyond. We are committed to strengthen defence exchanges and cooperation between Japan and India. The two sides will strengthen defence exchanges at all levels and continue to hold naval exercises with regular frequency. I am glad that Japan took part in the Malabar exercise this year.

Question:I would like to ask about relationship with SAARC countries. Prime Minister chose Bhutan and Nepal which were located between India and China as the first countries for the bilateral visits. What is the aim of that?

Prime Minister: My visits to Bhutan and Nepal reflect the high priority and focus on our immediate neighbourhood in our foreign policy priorities and my conviction that India and the SAARC countries must reinforce economic growth in the SAARC region by promoting synergy. India's relations with Nepal and Bhutan are above all relationship forged by our people through the ages. We have open borders with both countries in more than one sense of the term. My discussion in both countries covered the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation including in trade and economy, developmental assistance, hydropower cooperation, defence and security, education and culture. My visits there imparted a fresh impetus to our close relationships with our two Northern neighbours.

Question:India canceled the foreign secretary meeting between India and Pakistan. What is the reason of that? How will the prime minister improve the deteriorated relationship?

Prime Minister: India desires peaceful, friendly and cooperative ties with Pakistan. I had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in May 2014, when he attended the swearing-in ceremony of my Government. We together decided that the Foreign Secretaries should meet and explore how to take relations forward. India has no hesitation to discuss any outstanding issue with Pakistan within the bilateral framework that has been established under the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. We, therefore, were disappointed that Pakistan sought to make a spectacle of these efforts and went ahead with talks with secessionist elements from Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi just prior to the meeting of the Foreign Secretaries. We will continue to make efforts to build peaceful, friendly and cooperative ties with Pakistan, but I might add that any meaningful bilateral dialogue necessarily requires an environment that is free from terrorism and violence.

Question:In Afghanistan International Security Aid Force (ISAF) will leave by the end of this year, and the new president will be sworn in. How will the prime minister construct better relationship with new Afghanistan and contribute its peace and stability?

Prime Minister: As the ISAF has been drawing down its presence, the Afghan National Security Forces and their valiant personnel have been showing themselves more than capable of taking on greater responsibilities for Afghanistan’s security. However, peace and stability in Afghanistan continues to face a serious threat from terrorism and extremism coming from across its borders. India has a strategic partnership with Afghanistan and we remain committed to helping Afghans build a strong, independent and prosperous country.

Question: According to the Manifesto of BJP, your government will revise and update the nuclear doctrine to make it relevant to challenges of current times. Could you please elaborate what the new doctrine would be like?

Prime Minister: India's nuclear doctrine was adopted during the previous NDA government and has in general governed our nuclear weapons posture since then.While every government naturally takes into account the latest assessment of strategic scenarios and makes adjustments as necessary, there is a tradition of national consensus and continuity on such issues. I can tell you that currently, we are not taking any initiative for a review of our nuclear doctrine.

Question: Also, I wonder if there are any possibilities that India accede NPT or
CTBT sometime in the future. If any, what conditions would be required by India to consider signing NPT or CTBT?

Prime Minister: India’s position on the NPT and the CTBT is well-known and needs no reiteration. There is no contradiction in our mind between being a nuclear weapon state and contributing actively to global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. India remains strongly committed to universal, non-discriminatory, global nuclear disarmament. Our track record of non-proliferation is impeccable. We will continue to contribute to the strengthening of the global non-proliferation efforts. India’s membership of the four international export control regimes will be conducive to this. As to the CTBT, we are committed to maintaining a unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing.

Question: I would like to ask about China. What is China for you? What are your views on China's "expansionism"? What becomes the main topic at the summit meeting with PRC President Xi Jinping in September?

Prime Minister: China is India’s largest neighbor and a high priority in India’s foreign policy. It is my government’s resolve to utilize the full potential of our Strategic and Cooperative Partnership with China. I am keen to work closely with the Chinese leadership to push the relationship forward and to deal with all issues in our bilateral relations by proceeding from the strategic perspective of our developmental goals and long-term benefits to our peoples. I had a good first meeting with President Xi in July and I am looking forward to welcoming him in India. India, Japan and China, as major countries in Asia, have many common interests and we need to build on them to convert ours into an Asian Century by working together.

Question: How do you look at the concept of establishing Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) raised by China? Do you have an intention to support it and how do you find it different from the already established ADB and WB?

Prime Minister: India desires that global savings be channelled towards infrastructure development in developing economies. Parts of the Asian continent face enormous infrastructure deficits. Hence, in principle, any initiative which seeks to address these deficits in infrastructure and connectivity is welcome. China has invited India to join the proposed AIIB as founding member; India is considering the invitation. India would like any new multilateral development bank to incorporate the reforms that we advocate for the existing international financial institutions.

Question: "Obama administration has sent ministers one after another to India and invited you to visit Washington next month.What kind of relation with the US would like to build and what needs to be done in order for India and the US to enhance strategic partnership?”

Prime Minister: India’s strategic partnership with the United States is an important pillar of India’s foreign policy. This partnership is not only relevant for the attainment of India's national, regional and global aspirations, it is also an important contributor to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world. As I have said in the recent past to visiting American dignitaries, we should not look at the relationship merely in terms of what India and the US can do for each other, but more importantly, what India and the US can do together, for the world. As the largest and oldest democracies in the world, there is also a convergence of values, which also means that it is natural for India and the US to want to partner more closely with traditional friends who share such values, such as Japan. Both sides recognize that there is value in building further substance in this partnership for the benefit of our people, the region and the world. We should challenge ourselves to realise the true potential of this relationship. It is in this spirit that I approach my meeting with President Obama in September.

Question: How do you plan to expand the influx of foreign direct investment (FDI)? The government has proposed to increase the FDI limits in defense and insurance sectors from 26% to 49%. In what other areas do you plan to ease FDI limits? Also, it is expected that the implementation of GST will remove certain barriers for foreign companies to do business in India. Are you confident that your government will be able to roll out GST before the end of 2014? Could you please tell me the roadmap for the much delayed indirect tax reform?

Prime Minister: FDI regime in India is free with minimal conditionalities. I feel that with the right signal of policy stability and genuineness of intent by the Government, FDI influx will happen on its own, as India is an excellent investment destination. We are open to dialogue and will strive to remove all roadblocks to inviting FDI. There are not many sectors left where FDI has restrictions. Review of FDI policy is a continuous exercise. We have recently opened up the railway sector to 100% FDI and 49% in defence. We have also deregulated a number of items in defence list which do not require licensing now.

The introduction of GST is likely to reduce cost for industry, trade and consumers. Further, it would lead to widening of tax base and a significant improvement in tax compliance. We are discussing with States and holding dialogues for assuaging their apprehensions about possible revenue loss, and I am confident that sooner rather than later the States will come on board. Even if it takes a little more time to convince them, in a Federal democracy the way forward is to convince the States and arrive at a consensus.

[Kashi]

I only wish that PM Modiji visits the Yasukuni shrine and honours the war dead of Japan,pays homage to Netaji and Justice Pal,who are commemorated at the shrine,as India was the only nation in WW2 to fight both against and with the Japanese.It would be a highly symbolic gesture to the Japanese people to show that we have forgiven them for their acts against Indian soldiers in WW2 ,and hat we also stood by them through Netaji and the INA as their allies,and disagreed with the "victor's (in) justice",as Justice Pal so honourably did in his dissenting judgement.

That would rile feathers not only in China, but in South Korea as well (and potentially Taiwan and Philippines) as it predictably does every year when Japanese politicos and high ranking visitors pay a visit to Yasukuni.

Tenno (Japanese emperor) himself (the incumbent Akihito and his father Hirohito) has not visited Yasukuni since 1975.

[g.sarkar]

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140830/j ... AFJdWMXGm8
Sushma pullout makes China, Russia uneasy
CHARU SUDAN KASTURI
New Delhi, Aug. 29: Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj has quietly called off a meeting with her Chinese and Russian counterparts just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Tokyo visit, triggering reactions of suspicion that underline how closely a tense neighbourhood is watching every Indian move.
China, locked in a territorial dispute over a chain of islands with historic rival Japan, fears Washington and Tokyo are trying to pull New Delhi into an alliance against it — a worry Russia shares because of its own tensions with the US.
Sushma was scheduled to travel yesterday to Beijing for a two-day meet with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that was never formally announced by the ministry of external affairs but was confirmed by a senior envoy recently.
The August 28-29 meetings of the Russia-India-China (RIC) grouping in Beijing on the eve of the Prime Minister’s visit to Japan starting tomorrow were a critical component of India’s balancing act between China and Japan at a time Modi has indicted he wants investments from both to revive India’s economy.
Sushma’s first meeting with Lavrov would also have hoped India reassure traditional ally Russia, which is concerned that Modi’s pro-market economic policies may pull him closer to the US.........
Gautam

[RoyG]

Sushma is really good at being a bad cop. She has no problems sticking it to the Americans and now she is rattling the cage with the Russians and Chinese. Sometimes you have to act a bit irrational and creative with these people otherwise they don't sit up and respect you. Overall, she seems to be doing good work with Modi.

I don't think the world understands that we are playing both the SCO and NATO to solidify SAARC under leadership of New Delhi.

[RSoami]

Modi should visit the Yasukuni shrine to pay respects to the indian heros. Its long overdue. If other countries dont like it then its their problem.

Of course India can tell the other sensitive countries why Modi is going there , in advance. That will lessen the impact. Other countries sensitivities should not stop us from honouring our own people.

[Klaus]

I don't think the world understands that we are playing both the SCO and NATO to solidify SAARC under leadership of New Delhi.

Its called hedging, actually Modi is doing a bit more than hedging. NATO's already present land-side in AFG and in the Southern IOR (Oz coast & Diego Garcia). GOI at this moment is just trying to stave off both NATO & PRC and keep northern IOR free till the Indian NAvy comes up to speed with greater number of nuke subs.

The real inroads will be made in Southern IOR and Western Pacific a few years down the line.

[Kashi]

Of course India can tell the other sensitive countries why Modi is going there , in advance. That will lessen the impact. Other countries sensitivities should not stop us from honouring our own people.

No it will not. When it comes to Japan and especially Yasukuni, China and South Korea are hardly rational. Like the Pakis, these issues are used by the governments in those countries to distract the populace from local issues and it works like a charm every time.

Of course, we can and must do what we feel right and paying respects to our heroes is exactly that. But we must be prepared for the reaction in those countries and how to deal with it.

[krishnan]

Netaji's ashes are not there in that shrine , this as per someone who has been following this issue for a long time, and it seems modi has some inside info from the secret files too

[Austin]

Mostly it will be related to business deals , Japan economy is really in a bad state and Abenomics is not working for them. They are in worst state then US or EU ( link )

So any business opportunity that Japan & India can work together would be good for both.

Some joint exercise either bilateral or multilateral announcement would be possible

[member_28714]

Mostly it will be related to business deals , Japan economy is really in a bad state and Abenomics is not working for them. They are in worst state then US or EU ( link )

So any business opportunity that Japan & India can work together would be good for both.

Some joint exercise either bilateral or multilateral announcement would be possible

Why would you say that?

Japans debt is 1/5th the US, 1/3rd the UK's, 1/2 of Germany's or France's. They are a larger economy than any of those EU nations. Their trade deficit is 1/5th that of India.

[Vadivel]

Modi should visit the Yasukuni shrine to pay respects to the indian heros. Its long overdue. If other countries dont like it then its their problem.

Of course India can tell the other sensitive countries why Modi is going there , in advance. That will lessen the impact. Other countries sensitivities should not stop us from honouring our own people.

Better to stay away from it, Yasukuni is deep red for Chinese, Koreans and other nations affected by WW2. No need to step into all that, just be pragmatic on economic and military ties. If we need to show that we are dependable and respect the relationship with japan, there are other more simpler ways to show than visiting Yasukuni.

[SanjayC]

Feeding the fish. PM @narendramodi & PM @AbeShinzo began engagement in Kyoto following tradition of feeding the fish

[member_28638]

Ultimate Gifts from India to Japan:

The Prime Minister gifted two books - Swami Vivekananda and Japan and the Bhagwad Gita - to Mr Abe.

[Hari Seldon]

Buddies...

[Rony]

From South China Morning Post

China sure to be high on agenda of Indian leader's talks in Japan

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Japan today for a five-day visit that analysts believe could usher in a new relationship, spurred by the actions of China in recent years.

Modi will arrive in Kyoto, where Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will host a banquet this evening before the leaders visit the Toji temple. Modi will also meet political leaders before travelling on to Tokyo for talks with officials in a visit that was extended by one day, hinting at the importance placed on the relationship.

Modi said he had high hopes for the outcome of the trip, posting on his Twitter account, "I see the Japan visit as an opportunity to take our ties with Japan to a new level and increase cooperation in various fields."

Abe returned the compliment, replying: "Your first visit to Japan as Indian PM will add a new chapter to our strategic partnership. Together we can do a lot for peace and prosperity in the world."

Neither leader mentioned their neighbour and largest regional rival, but China is sure to be high on their agenda.

"This is a very significant meeting and it is clear that Japan and India are becoming closer in the face of Chinese expansion," Kumao Kaneko, president of The Japan Council on Energy and Security, said.

"The two countries have a relationship that goes back more than 100 years and I see this as reviving the closeness of that alliance," Kaneko said. "And it has come about in the face of China's expansionist policies in east and south-east Asia."

The leaders will discuss security issues and concerns about Beijing's efforts to expand its control of areas at sea and on land. India has had a long-standing territorial dispute with China in the Himalayas, while Tokyo and Beijing continue to disagree on the question of the sovereignty of the Senkaku islands, which China knows as the Diaoyus.

"India has more experience in dealing with Beijing as it is physically adjacent to China, so Japan can certainly learn about New Delhi's diplomatic approaches," Kaneko said. "I feel that a closer political and security alliance will be of huge benefit to both."

China would be watching the outcome of the discussions carefully, Kaneko added. "They will be worried, I believe, but we must remember that it is not just India and Japan that are building closer ties to unite against China."

"There is also the US, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam and others who are quickly coming together.

"China now has to face more than one adversary and that will make it much more difficult for them in the South China Sea and other sensitive areas in the region.

"I feel that Japan and India should take the initiative in organising this alliance of countries and I think that both Mr Abe and Mr Modi, who are both forward-looking and slightly hawkish, are on the same wavelength."

An agreement is likely to be signed to export Japan's long-range US-2 search-and-rescue aircraft, while there will also be discussions on the provision of high-speed railway technology.

The other critical area of discussion will centre on Japan selling nuclear technology to India, which needs fresh additional energy sources.

The problem has been India's nuclear weapons programmes and its failure to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

But Kaneko is confident Japan's concerns can be overcome so Tokyo can sign a deal similar to the one that the United States agreed with New Delhi in 2008 which permits India to import nuclear fuel and technology.

"There have been long negotiations on this issue and I believe it is high time that the issue was solved," he said. "This is Mr Abe's chance to do that and I think he will."

[Atri]

All this Modi-Abe PDA is surely going to cause acidity in Beijing and other amirkhan and oiropean kapitals..

[Rony]

Mukesh Ambani drops out of PM's delegation to Japan

Ambani, who was to be part of a group of industrialists accompanying Modi on his first major bilateral visit, outside the sub-continent, sent regrets, government sources said.While the sources gave no reasons for the move, an RIL spokesperson did not offer any comments.

[Austin]

Why would you say that?

Japans debt is 1/5th the US, 1/3rd the UK's, 1/2 of Germany's or France's. They are a larger economy than any of those EU nations. Their trade deficit is 1/5th that of India.

No the Debt to GDP Ratio of Japan is more than 200 % to be precise its 227 % one of the highest in the developed world

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/japan/g ... ebt-to-gdp

I believe with Abenomic they are pumping liquidity into the market via money printing which is not working for them in the way it should.

I think Japan is in a worst situation economically even compared to other Western countries who have their money printing going on for some time.

I dont want to see the hard working people and Japanese Economy collapse but their figures are not really encouraging and gives little hope.

[ramana]

Mukesh Ambani drops out of PM's delegation to Japan

Ambani, who was to be part of a group of industrialists accompanying Modi on his first major bilateral visit, outside the sub-continent, sent regrets, government sources said.While the sources gave no reasons for the move, an RIL spokesperson did not offer any comments.

Pattar wala strikes.

Ambani needs his orthodontist visit.

Without Novacaine,


WOW MOU between Varnasi and Koyoto, two holy cities of India and Japan.

[Surya]

Kyoto is simply fantastic but its tough to imagine anyone other than the Koreans creating that sort of balance
between tradition, modernity

from the fantastic self contained main station, to the religious shrines, the clean alleyways it screams japanese.

kyoto in fall is even more awesome

[Neshant]

I really question how GDP is measured and consequently the debt to GDP ratio in many countries.

A lot of fluff is added to the measure of gdp in western economies to inflate GDP numbers and reduce debt to GDP ratios.

Recently a whole lot of fluff was added to Greece's GDP calculation to magically reduce their debt to GDP ratio and thus borrowing cost.

Rating agencies like Moodys , Fitch and S&P meanwhile are all politically biased and aligned to give the best ratings to their own country and those of their friends - which is to say their ratings are worthless.

[KrishG]

Why would you say that?

Japans debt is 1/5th the US, 1/3rd the UK's, 1/2 of Germany's or France's. They are a larger economy than any of those EU nations. Their trade deficit is 1/5th that of India.

No the Debt to GDP Ratio of Japan is more than 200 % to be precise its 227 % one of the highest in the developed world

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/japan/g ... ebt-to-gdp

I believe with Abenomic they are pumping liquidity into the market via money printing which is not working for them in the way it should.

I think Japan is in a worst situation economically even compared to other Western countries who have their money printing going on for some time.

I dont want to see the hard working people and Japanese Economy collapse but their figures are not really encouraging and gives little hope.

Except the fact that the majority of Japanese debt is internal debt i.e. Japanese government owns money to it's own people. This is considerably less dangerous than debt held outside the country.

[RSoami]

Better to stay away from it, Yasukuni is deep red for Chinese

We should stay away from Laddakh and Arunachal too. Might offend the Chinese.

[g.sarkar]

http://asia.nikkei.com/magazine/2014070 ... d=NARAN121
Modi plays three-way game with China, Japan
SAIBAL DASGUPTA, Contributing writer
BEIJING -- By the time Chinese president Xi Jinping meets Narendra Modi, India's new prime minister, at the BRICS summit in Brazil on July 15, Beijing will hope to have persuaded India to soften its resistance to Chinese companies.
India is witnessing a rare charm offensive by China, its friendly demeanor at odds with the image nurtured in some quarters in India of an increasingly powerful and arrogant neighbor.
On June 8, around two weeks after Modi took office, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a visit to New Delhi. Observers of India's foreign policy believe the country unlikely to be beguiled by China in weeks, or even years. Nevertheless, there are signs the diplomatic push is showing results. The Modi government has taken an "in principal" decision to build industrial parks exclusively for Chinese investors in India, something Beijing has long wanted.
This is a major improvement, from China's point of view. Wang at first seemed to have returned empty handed. The visit appeared long on bonhomie, but short on business specifics. Before setting out for India, Wang said in a newspaper interview the potential for India-China ties was "just like the emerging tip of a massive buried treasure that awaits your discovery."
That potential was underscored by the opening of Mumbai's first subway system on the very day of Wang's arrival in India. Built by Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group, the project was financed in part by a $1.2 billion loan from state-run China Development Bank.
China is excited by Modi's promise to build 100 new cities, a pledge which, if fulfilled, would open up vast opportunities for construction companies, equipment suppliers and services such as finance. The plan is expected to more than double the previous government's $1 trillion infrastructure spending target.....
Gautam

[g.sarkar]

http://articles.economictimes.indiatime ... shinzo-abe
PM Narendra Modi's Japan visit: No $1.7 trillion fund, Tokyo to finance specific projects
Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, ET Bureau Aug 29, 2014, 02.22AM IST
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of securing $1.7 trillion from Japan for creation of a fund that would support the country's economy may not become a reality with Tokyo discouraging the plan and instead asking Delhi to present a list of specific projects that it can finance. Ahead of Modi's maiden visit to Japan as prime minister beginning August 30, the government had approached Japan with a plan to secure $1.7 trillion over a period of five years to create a fund for mega projects.
Tokyo, however, made it clear that it does not support creation of any such fund with any foreign partner but can finance specific projects identified by the Modi government, official sources told ET......
Gautam

[g.sarkar]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 280283.cms
PM Modi in Japan, Kyoto-Varanasi partnership pact inked
IANS | Aug 30, 2014, 08.54 PM IST
KYOTO: Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a five-day visit to Japan on Saturday, a day that saw the inking of a partnership agreement between Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and Kyoto, which was the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years.
The partnership agreement was signed soon after Modi was received warmly by his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.
The partnership focuses on how to preserve heritage while building smart cities. It was signed between Kyoto Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa and India's Ambassador to Japan Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, said ministry of external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin....
Gautam

[SanjayC]

Better to stay away from it, Yasukuni is deep red for Chinese

We should stay away from Laddakh and Arunachal too. Might offend the Chinese.

Exactly. Did China stay away from PoK because it will offend India?

[g.sarkar]

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/0 ... AITAWMXGm8
Indian leader Modi arrives for summit with Abe
by Masaaki Kameda
Staff Writer
Aug 30, 2014
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Kansai International Airport on Saturday for a five-day visit in which he is expected to seek stronger security and economic ties with Japan in the face of China’s rising territorial ambitions and military might.
Calling Japan and India “two major maritime democracies in Asia,” government officials in Tokyo said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 59, and Modi 63, are expected to affirm their willingness to cooperate to ensure a “peaceful and stable maritime order” to curb Beijing’s increasing activity in the East and South China seas, as well as the Indian Ocean.
During the visit, Modi is scheduled to hold a summit on Monday with Abe, whom he has met twice in his previous visits to Japan in 2007 and 2012. The two sides are likely to agree to launch a consultative framework for security talks involving their foreign and defense ministers, a senior Foreign Ministry official said.
Abe and Modi are also expected to agree to continue joint maritime drills in addition to trilateral drills conducted with the United States, possibly on a regular basis.
Since Japan is the first country Modi chose to visit on a bilateral basis since taking office in May, this indicates “his high expectations for Japan,” a Foreign Ministry official said.
Abe and Modi are expected to strengthen security ties by upgrading their bilateral dialogue on diplomacy and defense to the ministerial level. The talks are currently conducted at a vice-ministerial level.
Another issue on the defense agenda is a plan for Japan to supply India with its US-2 amphibian search and rescue aircraft, a deal the two nations have been discussing since last December. The Abe administration eased the nation’s long-held ban on weapons exports, including technology transfers, in April.
China has been challenging Japan’s sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands, a group of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea that are being administered by Tokyo but are claimed by Beijing as Diaoyu and by Taiwan as Tiaoyutai.
India, meanwhile, has grown concerned about China’s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean, as well as their long-standing border disputes and Beijing’s growing ties with Pakistan.
On infrastructure, Abe will likely try to pitch Japan’s shinkansen technology for India’s plan to build a high-speed railway between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
On the more touchy issue of atomic energy, however, the two leaders are expected to have trouble signing an accord on peaceful use of nuclear power because Japan wants nonproliferation guarantees. While the deal would pave the way for Japan to export nuclear reactors, Tokyo wants it to specify that the deal can be suspended if New Delhi conducts nuclear weapons tests.
India is not a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty......
Gautam

[g.sarkar]

http://online.wsj.com/articles/indias-m ... 1409244018
India's Modi Visits Japan to Deepen Defense and Commercial Ties
The Premier and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Are Expected to Discuss Regional SecurityBy
Niharika Mandhana
NEW DELHI—India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts a five-day visit to Japan on Saturday, looking to deepen defense and commercial ties between the two Asian countries as they grapple with an increasingly assertive China.
Mr. Modi is to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other officials for what are expected to be wide-ranging discussions about regional security as well as a possible deal on civil nuclear cooperation.
"We are two vibrant democracies committed to advancing peace and prosperity," Mr. Modi said this week. He said he expects his trip to "take our ties with Japan to a new level."
Both leaders are unabashed nationalists. They are working to revive laggard national economies and are worried about China's strategic intentions.
"It is a watershed meeting," said Brahma Chellaney, a strategic affairs analyst at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi. "It is crucial to preventing the rise of a Sino-centric Asia."
The two countries have recently stepped up defense cooperation, with a series of joint naval maneuvers. Earlier this year, the Indian, Japanese and U.S. warships practiced anti-submarine and other operations in the Pacific.
An agreement on closer defense coordination is up for discussion when Mr. Modi is in Japan, Indian officials said, but it is unclear if any pact will be signed during the trip. India is also negotiating the purchase of Japanese amphibious search-and-rescue planes.
India and Japan have unresolved territorial disputes with China—over islands in the East China Sea in the case of Japan, and over Himalayan borders in the case of India. India and China fought a brief war over their disputed borders in 1962.
India has accused Chinese troops of making repeated incursions into Indian-controlled parts of the Himalayas. Beijing, which also claims the areas, denies India's allegations.
Indian policy makers have also grown concerned about China's growing ties with India's neighbors and expanding presence in the Indian Ocean, which New Delhi views as within its sphere of influence.
Since coming to power in May, Mr. Modi has tried to reinvigorate his country's ties with other South Asian nations, including Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan, in an attempt to help India regain its position as a dominant regional power.
Mr. Modi's trip to Japan is among a series of high-level visits by Indian officials across Asia. India's foreign minister visited Myanmar last month and its president is scheduled to travel to Vietnam in mid-September.
Early next month, Mr. Abe is scheduled to travel to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, two South Asian nations where China has made inroads by investing in infrastructure, stirring worries of encirclement in India......
Gautam

[g.sarkar]

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nare ... 80008.html
Narendra Modi, Shinzo Abe talk of robust future ties over dinner
PTI Kyoto, August 30, 2014 | UPDATED 20:53 IST
Setting the tone for their formal Summit on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Saturday spoke about a "strong and robust future" for the bilateral ties, with the Indian leader hoping that the two sides would strive to achieve in five years the unrealised potential of five decades.
Meeting over a dinner hosted by Abe in honour of Modi in the elegant setting of the Imperial Guest House, the two leaders underlined the importance India and Japan have for each other.
"The discussions covered economic issues, and the opportunities that both countries had," a PMO statement said.
They talked about the need to seize the opportunities presented by their respective strong political mandates to inject new momentum and energy in their economies.
"They spoke with great optimism about a strong and robust future for India-Japan economic partnership," it said.
Modi observed that the relationship was far below potential and expressed hope that the two sides would strive to achieve in five years the unrealised potential of five decades.....
Gautam

[Neshant]

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of securing $1.7 trillion from Japan for creation of a fund

how would they manage to conjure 1.7 trillion when their economy is in debt up the wazoo.

their bond market will soon revolt.

[Hari Seldon]

Am sure our kerala nurses could do a world of good in japan... anyday better than slaving away in ze gulf. If only movement of labor could be eased but japan is that way a famously homogeneous and notoriously insular place...

[RoyG]

Securing $1.7 trillion from Japan is just bloody laughable. They are doing the right thing by funding specific projects. We still have this mentality where going abroad and begging is going to somehow magically solve our problems. They have technology, expertise, cash, etc. Great! Our people also have the same. What Modi is doing is good. Just remove those bloody laws and empower Indians. We'll do most of the heavy lifting and we'll beat the Japanese in quality.

[SSridhar]

I sincerely doubt the veracity of $1.7 trillion fund. India would never have asked for a blanket cheque like that. We have never done that even when we were down the dumps in the 60s. Plain BS spread with a motive.

[Cosmo_R]

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of securing $1.7 trillion from Japan for creation of a fund

how would they manage to conjure 1.7 trillion when their economy is in debt up the wazoo.

their bond market will soon revolt.

Has Modi actually spoken of a fund as such? I wonder if it is not the ET that may be inferring it. I could be wrong but this is the first time I've heard of it.

In any event, whatever the amount of investment NaMo is seeking, we should remember that in 1992 Deng Xiao Ping asked Japan to invest $200 bn in China (1992 dollars) and the Japanese invested an estimated $81 bn plus through today.

The lion's share of monies from any such earmark would go to Japanese companies as equipment and services sales so they would count as exports. This from a Japanese bond market POV is preferable to yet another bridge to nowhere infrastructure project to jump start the economy.

In short, Japan needs another China. Much of its GDP in the 1990s was fueled by Japanese companies setting up in China and exporting from there.

The current spat with the PRC

http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2012 ... -to-start/

places us in a good position as an alternative.