“A ‘broader Asia’ that broke away geographical boundaries is now beginning to take a distinct form. Our two countries have the ability and the responsibility to ensure that it broadens yet further,” he said, while addressing Members of Parliament in the Central Hall of Parliament here.
Pointing out that Japan and India were surging forward to form a “Strategic Global Partnership” Abe said: “This partnership is an association in which we share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and the respect for basic human rights as well as strategic interests.”
The Japenese Prime Minister indicated that the Japanese diplomacy was now promoting various concepts in a host of different areas so that a region called “The Arc of Freedom and Prosperity” would be formed along the outer rim of the Eurasian continent.
Strategic partners
“The Strategic Global Partnership of Japan and India is pivotal for such pursuits to be successful,” Abe — the third Japanese prime minister to address Indian Parliament — noted.
By Japan and India coming together in this way, the “broader Asia” would evolve into an immense network spanning the entirety of the Pacific Ocean incorporating the US and Australia, the Japanese Premier projected.
“Open and transparent this network will allow people, capital and knowledge to flow freely,” Abe said.
Significantly, he also suggested that as maritime states both India and Japan have vital interests in the security of sea lanes that are most critical for the world economy.
In his 20-minute address, the Japanese Premier while referring to the age-old cultural ties between the two countries also focused quite a lot on emerging economic partnerships.
Significantly, Abe favoured early conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
He said this will push economic relations and raise the volume of bilateral trade to $20 billion in the next three years.
Referring to the proposed $90 billion Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, the Japanese Prime Minister announced that his government would closely cooperate with the Indian side particularly towards the establishment of a dedicated fund for the industrial corridor.
Abe also promised to assist India in infrastructure development, particularly the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata Dedicated Freight Corridors.
Outlining the various fields in which the two countries can cooperate closely, the visiting Japanese Prime Minister also promised to help India in the field of energy.
He said Japan will provideg energy efficiency related technology to India.
Silent on N-trade
Interestingly, he made no mention of possible collaboration in the field of nuclear power.
With regard to the global efforts to combat growing phenomenon of global warming, Abe sought India’s cooperation towards the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2050.
The Japanese Prime Minister, who spoke in Japanese in the presence of Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, drew frequent applause from members of Parliament when he spoke high of India’s rich cultural heritage.