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Joint Statement on the occasion of Official Visit of the Prime Minister of Japan to India (January 25-27, 2014)

January 25, 2014

  1. The Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Shinzo Abe is currently on an official visit to India on 25-27 January 2014 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh as chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations. The two Prime Ministers held extensive talks during their Annual Summit on bilateral, regional and global issues on 25 January 2014 in Delhi.
  2. The two Prime Ministers welcomed that the State Visit of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to India from 30 November to 6 December 2013 further strengthened the long-lasting historically close ties and friendship between the peoples of India and Japan.
  3. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their resolve to further deepen the Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan as two democracies in Asia sharing universal values such as freedom, democracy and rule of law, and to contribute jointly to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world, taking into account changes in the strategic environment.
  4. Prime Minister Abe elaborated his policy of "Proactive Contribution to Peace”. Prime Minister Singh appreciated Japan’s efforts to contribute to peace and stability of the region and the world.
  5. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the successful outcome of political exchanges, dialogues and policy consultations held after the visit of Prime Minister Singh to Japan in May 2013 and emphasized the importance of further progress in these bilateral exchanges. In this regard, they expressed their intention to hold the 8th Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue at the earliest time in 2014.
  6. Prime Minister Singh acknowledged the announcement of Japan’s National Security Strategy and the establishment of the National Security Council (NSC) of Japan. The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction with the launch of regular consultations between the Secretary-General of National Security Secretariat of Japan and India’s National Security Advisor.
  7. Welcoming the successful outcome of the visit by Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera to India, the two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their determination to further strengthen bilateral defense cooperation. In this connection, they welcomed the decision of the two defense ministers to realize the visit of Indian Defense Minister to Japan within 2014. They also expressed satisfaction that the Trilateral Dialogue between India, Japan and the US has been held on a regular basis and also that the 3rd two plus two dialogue and the 4th Defense Policy Dialogue are to be held before the end of the year. They confirmed to hold the 2nd meeting of India-Japan Bilateral Talks on Cyber-affairs in spring 2014 with a view to further exploring possible areas of cooperation.
  8. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the successful conduct of the second bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in December 2013 off the coast of Chennai and shared their intention to conduct the joint exercise in the Pacific Ocean in 2014. They reaffirmed the importance of such exercises, and renewed their resolution to continue to conduct them on a regular basis with increased frequency. Prime Minister Abe appreciated India’s invitation to JMSDF for the next "Malabar” maritime exercise.
  9. The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction with the holding of the 1st meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on the US-2 amphibian aircraft in December 2013 in Delhi and welcomed the 2nd meeting of the JWG which is scheduled for March 2014 in Japan.
  10. Welcoming the expansion of the bilateral currency swap arrangement from 15 to 50 billion US dollars and signing of the contract for its entry into force in January 2014, the two Prime Ministers expressed their expectation that this expansion will further strengthen financial cooperation and contribute to the stability of global financial markets including emerging economies.
  11. Prime Minister Singh appreciated the relaxation of Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) of Ethoxyquin on the shrimps imported to Japan to 0.2ppm by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.
  12. Prime Minister Singh expressed his appreciation to the Government and the people of Japan for their continued and unwavering support to India’s development. Prime Minister Abe reaffirmed that Japan would continue its Official Development Assistance at a substantial level to encourage India’s efforts towards social and economic development. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Exchange of Notes for yen loan totalling 11.390 billion yen for the "Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project” which would help reconstruction efforts in the wake of devastating floods that hit Uttarakhand in June last year, as well as the signing of the Exchange of Notes for grant aid totalling 1.495 billion yen for the Project for Improvement of the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Chennai. Prime Minister Singh also appreciated the pledge by Prime Minister Abe for the "Delhi Mass Rapid Transport System Project (Phase 3 (II))” for 148.887 billion yen, the "New and Renewable Energy Development Project (Phase 2)”for 30 billion yen and the "Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Energy Saving Project (Phase 3)” for 30 billion yen.
  13. Recognizing the importance of further promoting technical cooperation through people-to-people exchanges, the two Prime Ministers expressed their expectations that the two countries will expand the Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) scheme through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to sectors previously not approved by the Government of India such as craft works, sports and education and launch the Senior Volunteer (SV) scheme in India.
  14. The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) including the start of construction in Phase-1 in August 2013, which utilizes Japanese technologies.
  15. The two Prime Ministers appreciated the approval of the 9 projects financed by the DMIC trust and welcomed the steady progress for start of implementation of these projects. Welcoming the progress achieved in the financing scheme of the two smart community projects, the model project for micro-grid system using large scale PV power generation at Neemrana and the Sea Water Desalination project at Dahej, they hoped that these projects will speedily move to the implementing phase and that all issues related to other smart community projects would be resolved in a timely manner. They appreciated the efforts to promote the industrial parks dedicated to Japanese industries by JETRO and to assist the human resource development on manufacturing by HIDA. The two leaders shared the view that all instruments of funding of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) including the Special Term for Economic Partnership (STEP) may be explored on mutually beneficial terms. Prime Minister Abe appreciated the efforts made by the Government of India in the matter.
  16. Recognizing the importance of development in the Chennai-Bengaluru areas, the two Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Exchange of Notes and the Loan Agreement for the "Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Programme (TNIPP)” in November 2013. They appreciated the progress made in implementation of critical infrastructure projects identified in the core sectors such as road development and power, and water supply. Taking into account the potential positive effects of TNIPP for India’s economic development, they shared the view that the possibility of extending similar programmes to other states in India is to be considered. Recognizing the importance of development in the Chennai- Bengaluru areas, they underlined their commitment to enhance cooperation between the two countries on the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC). They noted that steps are underway for speedy implementation of infrastructure such as ports, roads, bridges and industrial parks, as well as electricity and water supply in Ennore, Chennai and adjoining areas. They welcomed submission of the first interim report of the study by JICA for the Comprehensive Integrated Master Plan of CBIC region and instructed the authorities concerned to finalize the Perspective Plan of the region by the end of March 2014 and the Master Plan and Development Plan by the end of March 2015.
  17. Prime Minister Singh appreciated Japan’s high level of expertise and technology of High Speed Railway (Shinkansen) system and noted Japan’s interest in introducing that system in India. Prime Minister Singh conveyed that India will plan such projects based on its infrastructure priorities, commercial viability and financial resources in India. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the commencement of the joint feasibility study and the issuance of the inception report of the High Speed Railway system on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. They agreed that the joint feasibility study should be completed by July 2015.
  18. The two Prime Ministers acknowledged to continue cooperation on upgrading the speed of passenger trains on the existing route to Semi-High Speed Railway system.
  19. The two Prime Ministers discussed the possibility of cooperation in building infrastructure that will enhance connectivity and regional integration between India and its neighboring countries, sharing the view that they will support cross border business activities and supply chains and thereby contribute to economic growth and development in the region. They directed their officials to continue discussions on this subject.
  20. The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction with the successful outcomes of the 7th India-Japan Energy Dialogue. They were also satisfied with the India-Japan Energy Forum organized by JETRO, NEDO and TERI in September 2013. They confirmed their intention to continue working together to further strengthen energy cooperation. They welcomed enhanced cooperation between Japanese and Indian firms in the joint procurement of LNG and upstream development of oil and gas, and last September’s joint statement on India-Japan LNG cooperation for globally competitive LNG price. They shared the view that it is important to make an effort to utilizing highly efficient coal-fired generation technology to reduce GHG emissions, and welcomed enhanced cooperation on construction of highly efficient and environment-friendly coal fired power plants and progress on cooperation in Clean Coal Technologies (CCT) such as renovation and modernization of the plants. In this regard, they welcomed the signing of the loan agreement between NTPC Limited and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for Kudgi supercritical coal-fired power project in Karnataka state. In addition, they welcomed cooperation on power system stabilization projects and the Green Energy Corridor. They acknowledged progress with cooperation efforts in energy efficiency improvement, including steel, cement, and machine tools. They also welcomed the successful holding of the inaugural India-Japan Public-Private Round Table for Renewable Energy in India, and committed to promoting business cooperation between both countries.
  21. Prime Minister Singh welcomed the approval by the Japanese Diet in December 2013 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the Republic of India and Japan on Social Security. The two Prime Ministers expressed their expectation that the entry into force of this Agreement will help the development of people-to-people exchanges and economic activities.
  22. Recognizing the importance of collaboration in the field of ICT through stimulating its strength and advantages so that two countries share fruit of cooperation, the two Prime Ministers confirmed that they will further enhance business tie-ups, boost investments, R&D collaborative activities, cyber security cooperation and use of ICT for addressing societal and economic challenges in the field through the mechanism of Joint Working Group under "India-Japan ICT Comprehensive Cooperation Framework” that was launched in October 2013.
  23. The two Prime Ministers expressed hope to hold the eighth Joint Committee on India – Japan Cooperation in Science and Technology as early as possible. In this respect, they welcomed signing of the Implementing Arrangement of Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology under the Agreement between the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. They expressed satisfaction at holding of the Science and Technology Seminar in Business and Academia (STSBA) with the attendance of eminent scientists and business leaders from both countries on the occasion of Prime Minister Abe’s visit to India and expressed their expectation that further collaboration in science, technology and innovation will be facilitated. They welcomed the new initiative to establish DBT-AIST joint research for biotechnologies laboratories.
  24. The two Prime Ministers directed their officials to finalize a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan in the field of healthcare, which identifies wide areas of cooperation and the establishment of a Joint Working Group (JWG) to further elaborate the details of cooperation. They welcomed the strengthening of the medical partnership through business seminars and expressed their expectation on the promotion of business under cooperative framework between Indian and Japanese companies.
  25. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of investment for driving economic growth and job creation in their economies and ways to create enabling environments to mobilize investment and give a fillip to economic relations. They agreed to continue working towards a greater understanding of all financial and taxation related issues including Indian rupee denominated finance by JBIC and establishing a consultative mechanism between the two countries. They appreciated JETRO's business matching activities to strengthen business partnership and consolidate supply chains between the two countries. They expressed their expectation for introducing Japanese technologies and expanding investment through the implementation of "the Action Plan for India-Japan Investment Promotion” agreed between the Minister of Commerce and Industry of India and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan in September 2013.
  26. Welcoming that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has deepened the bilateral economic relations, the two Prime Ministers expressed their expectation that both countries would continue to work closely to further expand trade in goods and services as well as investments.
  27. The two Prime Ministers appreciated that both countries have signed the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC). They expressed their hope to strengthen their cooperative relationship in this field further in order to facilitate trade and to harmonize activities within international standardization and conformity assessment.
  28. The two sides welcomed the outcomes of the first India-Japan Joint Working Group on IT and Electronics held in New Delhi by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of India and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. The two Prime Ministers expressed their hope for the cooperation being further developed between IT and electronics industries of both countries through the framework. They expressed their intention to explore the proposal for setting up of Japanese Electronics Industrial Township in India. Both sides also expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cyber security dialogue between the CERT-In and JPCERT, Japan and emphasized further collaborative and proactive response against cyber-attacks at international level.
  29. The two Prime Ministers appreciated the progress of zoning and planning of National Investment Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs) stipulated in National Manufacturing Policy (NMP) of India. They expressed their expectation for investment by Japanese companies in NIMZs in general and in India-Japan joint projects such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) in particular.
  30. The two Prime Ministers appreciated the steady progress made in enhancing trade in high technology for mutual benefit and directed their relevant organizations to enhance the dialogue in this field to a successful outcome.
  31. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in the rare earths sector and shared the strong resolution that the commencement of commercial production of rare earths by Indian and Japanese enterprises should take place at the earliest.
  32. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries, while recognizing that nuclear safety is a priority for both Governments. They welcomed the substantial progress made since their last meeting in negotiations between India and Japan on an Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy and directed their officials to exert further efforts towards an early conclusion of the Agreement.
  33. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Abe stressed the importance of bringing into force the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) at an early date. Prime Minister Singh reiterated India’s commitment to its unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing. They also reaffirmed their commitment to working together for immediate commencement and an early conclusion of negotiations on a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). They also supported the strengthening of international cooperation to address the challenges of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. They recognized the importance of an effective national export control system conforming to the highest international standards. Prime Minister Abe recognized India’s sound non-proliferation record. Both sides expressed their commitment to work together for India to become a full member in the international export control regimes: the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement, with the aim of strengthening the international non-proliferation efforts.
  34. The two Prime Ministers acknowledged that there is a high potential to be explored in the area of people-to-people exchanges between India and Japan and expressed their intention to make utmost effort for the expansion of exchange of peoples in various fields.
  35. The two Prime Ministers welcomed Japan’s participation as a partner country in the India International Trade Fair in Delhi and the International Film Festival of India 2013 in Goa. They also expressed their expectation to enhance cooperation between the two countries on development of human resources, and matching activities in the area of content industry.
  36. Prime Minister Singh appreciated Japan’s decision on relaxation of visa requirements for Indian ordinary passport holders and Prime Minister Abe welcomed India’s consideration for relaxing visa requirements for Japanese ordinary passport holders. The two Prime Ministers stressed the importance of continued efforts to revise the Memorandum on Simplifying Visa Procedures between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Japan which would further enhance people-to-people exchanges in business area.
  37. The two Prime Ministers welcomed recent signing of Memorandum between Ministry of Tourism of India and Japan Tourism Agency, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in the field of tourism and successful holding of Forum for the promotion of Public-Private cooperation on tourism in January 2014. They expressed satisfaction with signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Maharashtra and Wakayama Prefecture on cooperation in the field of tourism and investment.
  38. Prime Minister Singh welcomed Japan’s efforts to create "a society in which all women shine”, as announced by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2013. The two Prime Ministers underlined the importance of promoting gender equality, women empowerment and child development.
  39. The two Prime Ministers underlined the importance of Japanese language education in India and increasing mobility of students between two countries, in order to foster mutual understanding among young generation of the two countries. In this regard, they confirmed their willingness to support the cooperation among universities and increase steadily the number of student exchanges between India and Japan in accordance with Japan's plan to double the number of student exchanges by 2020.
  40. The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction with the ongoing plan of approximately 1300 youth exchange between two countries under JENESYS 2.0 program.
  41. The two Prime Ministers reconfirmed the importance of cooperation for the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) and the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing in Jabalpur (IIITDM-J) of which Steering Committee would be held in February 2014, and welcomed the signing of the Exchange of Notes for the Campus Development Project of IIT-H (Phase 2) totaling seventeen billion seven hundred and three million yen. Prime Minister Singh appreciated Japan’s intention to contribute to Nalanda University including through the yen loan for the improvement of road access to the University, as well as its support for Peace Studies for the University.
  42. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their support for the East Asia Summit (EAS) as a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia. They also welcomed the launch of a bilateral dialogue on ASEAN affairs.
  43. The two Prime Ministers reiterated the commitment of Japan and India to the freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce and peaceful settlement of disputes based on the principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
  44. The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the ongoing bilateral exchanges on maritime affairs including counter-piracy activities, participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises as well as sharing of information. In this context, they welcomed the Dialogue between the Director General of Indian Coast Guard and the Commandant of Japan Coast Guard and the joint exercise between Indian and Japanese Coast Guards conducted off the coast of Kochi in January 2014. They expressed their desire to further promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation on maritime issues and shared their intention to hold the next bilateral dialogue and joint exercise between Japanese and Indian Coast Guards in Japan.
  45. The two Prime Ministers underscored the importance of freedom of overflight and civil aviation safety in accordance with the recognized principles of international law and the relevant standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
  46. The two Prime Ministers condemned all acts of international terrorism and called for an immediate end to material and financial support to terrorist activities. They called for strengthening international cooperation on counter terrorism, including early finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
  47. The two Prime Ministers expressed their concern over North Korea’s continued development of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, including its uranium enrichment activities. They strongly urged North Korea to take concrete actions towards the denuclearization and other goals as well as to fully comply with its international obligations, including under all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and its commitments under the 2005 Six-Party Talks Joint Statement. They also urged North Korea, to address at the earliest, the humanitarian concerns of the international community, including the abductions issue.
  48. The two Prime Ministers reiterated their determination to continue contributing to the strong, sustainable, inclusive and balanced growth of the world economy. They expressed their expectations that a revitalization of the Japanese economy and enhanced growth in the Indian economy would greatly benefit the region and the world.
  49. The two Prime Ministers emphasized the need for all Parties in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to work together in an open, transparent and inclusive manner for enhanced action under the Durban Platform of UNFCCC building on the outcome of the 19th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Warsaw in November 2013. They underscored the need to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation to promote sustainable development and environmentally friendly technologies. They also shared the view to continue consultations regarding the Joint Crediting Mechanism.
  50. The two Prime Ministers reemphasized their resolve to work towards early reform of the United Nations, including the expansion of the United Nations Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories, in view of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations in 2015, particularly through the efforts of the G-4 so as to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. They confirmed that such reforms were necessary to make the Security Council more representative, effective, credible and responsive to the needs of its wider membership. In this regard, they decided to strengthen their bilateral cooperation and consultation with other Member States. They also highlighted the outcome of the first round of Japan-India Consultation on UN Issues held in June 2013 and welcomed the second round to be held in February 2014.
  51. Prime Minister Abe expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality of Prime Minister Singh and the Government of India. Prime Minister Abe extended an invitation to Prime Minister Singh for the next annual bilateral summit in Japan at a mutually convenient date. Prime Minister Singh accepted the invitation with pleasure.
New Delhi
January 25, 2014



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