On November 8, 2023, the Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan arrived in Tokyo, the capital of Japan and said that India and Japan cherish a Special and Strategic Partnership rooted in ancient historical ties. The Minister is on a visit to the island nation of Japan from November 8 to November 11, 2023.
In a post on the social media platform X, Muraleedharan wrote: “Reached Tokyo this morning. Looking forward to my engagement and interaction with the Indian community. India and Japan cherish a Special, Strategic Partnership rooted in ancient historical ties and shared values,”
India-Japan Strategic Partnership
Notably, India and Japan share a Special Strategic and Global Partnership covering a wide range and areas of cooperation. The friendship between the two countries has a long history rooted in spiritual affinity, strong cultural and civilizational ties.
There is growing strategic convergence between the two countries. There is synergy between India’a Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific Region based on the principle of SAGAR (Security and Growth For All in the Region) and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative on one hand and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision on the other.
India-Japan relations were elevated to Global Partnership in 2000, Strategic and Global Partnership in 2006 and Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014. Moreover, regular annual visits have been held between India and Japan since, according to the statement.
The Indian Minister of State (External Affairs) Muraleedharan visit is expected to solidify the wide-ranging partnership between the two countries, the statement said. In July, while speaking at the India-Japan Forum in New Delhi, the External Affairs Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar said that Japan was the inspiration as the government advances Atmanirbhar Bharat
The Union Minister of External Affairs Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar said that the natural seamlessness between the two oceans is becoming relevant today. In this context, the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) is ana example of strategic imagination.
The EAM also said that India and Japan will work together for the future of the international order, in new technologies, strategies and culture. Being members of QUAD, India and Japan conduct their MALABAR Multilateral naval exercises to contain the aggression and assertiveness of the Peoples Republic of China in the Indo-Pacific along with USA and Australia.
The Minister’s Schedule
During the visit, MoS Muraleedharan is expected to hold meetings with ministers, business leaders, academia, and members of the Indian diaspora. According to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, he will visit Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Oita. Moreover, he is scheduled to deliver a lecture on India and the Emerging World at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Oita.
