During his address at the Raisina Roundtable organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in Tokyo, Japan, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar underscored the transformational journey of India, emphasizing its emergence as a burgeoning and evolving nation. He accentuated the significance of Japan comprehending the rapid evolution unfolding within India. Jaishankar, who is currently on a diplomatic visit to Japan until March 8 for the 16th India-Japan Foreign Minister's Strategic Dialogue alongside his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa, highlighted the manifold aspects of India's contemporary landscape.
Jaishankar delineated India's infrastructural strides, citing the construction of 28 kilometers of highways daily, the establishment of eight new airports annually, and the development of one and a half to two metros each year. This metamorphosis, he asserted, renders India a more efficacious and credible global partner, exemplified through advancements in various spheres such as ease of doing business, digital delivery, and fostering an ecosystem conducive to startups and innovation. He emphasized that India has undergone a profound metamorphosis, shaping its identity as an entirely distinct nation in the contemporary era.
Moreover, Jaishankar lauded the robust "special strategic and global partnership" between India and Japan, underlining the imperative of maintaining equilibrium in the overall relationship between the two nations. He stressed the shared commitment of India and Japan to uphold principles of freedom, openness, transparency, and a rule-based order, which are essential for promoting multipolarity in Asia.
Jaishankar also deliberated on the evolving global order, noting that traditional metrics such as GDP, technology, demography, and influence have undergone significant transformations over the past decades. He elucidated that these shifts have led to the emergence of new power dynamics, contributing to the prevailing volatility in the global arena.
Furthermore, Jaishankar reiterated India and Japan's shared vision for transparent and collaborative connectivity, citing India's efforts in developing major corridors both to the east and west. These initiatives, including the IMAC initiative and the international north-south transport corridor, are envisioned to enhance connectivity and facilitate trade routes spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific through Asia.
During the roundtable discussion, Tadashi Maeda, Chairman of the Board of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. The visit to Japan follows Jaishankar's recent trip to South Korea, where he engaged in discussions with top leaders.
In the forthcoming deliberations between Jaishankar and Kamikawa, bilateral, regional, and global issues of significance will be addressed, along with an exchange of perspectives on fostering cooperation for the advancement of a free, inclusive, peaceful, prosperous, and open Indo-Pacific region, as stated by the External Affairs Ministry.
