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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on January 25, arrived at New Delhi to attend a bilateral summit. He attended India’s Republic Day ceremony on January 26 to underscore the two countries growing ties. He was the first Japanese Prime minister to attend the event. 1 During Abe’s visit, both the countries agreed to enhance bilateral defence ties. Both Abe and his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh agreed to hold two separate meetings of foreign ministers and defence ministers of the two countries by the end of this year to discuss issues of mutual concern. The two countries have also agreed that the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (MSDF) and Indian Navy would conduct a joint drill. Moreover, both are to participate in a joint defence exercise along with the US. On the economic front, Abe pledged to extend to India a soft loan worth 200 billion yen to be used in three projects, including an extension of New Delhi’s subway system and the promotion of renewable energy. 2
- 1. “Abe leaves for India trip”, The Japan Times, January 26, 2014, at http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000974111
- 2. “Japan, India up security cooperation”, The Japan Times, January 26, 2014, at http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000974548