Japanese diplomat discusses trade & talent exchange with India, enhanced regional security on agenda too

In a first, a veteran Indian diplomat will be holding a talk in the country. Zee Media Network's global English TV channel WION has launched India's first show on diplomacy, which will be anchored by Arun Singh, former Indian envoy to the US. In the first show, Singh will discuss a host of issues with Kenji Hiramatsu, the Ambassador of Japan to India, which will be aired on Saturday. India has described its ties with Japan as the cornerstone of its Act East Policy.

Both the ace diplomats discussed regional and global issues including an Indo-Pacific vision simpler for the audience.

Singh begins by discussing Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's 2014 speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in the context of Indo-Pacific ties, where he had said Japan believes in Rule of Law. To which Kenji disclosed that he had drafted that speech.

Without mentioning threats emanating from China to Rule of Law, the ambassador mentioned the significance of the freedom of navigation for the region and to the economies of Japan and India. "Thus, it is fundamental to secure peace and stability in this region," he said.

The envoys also discussed trade issues. India and Japan trade seems to have stagnated at 16 billion dollars and although both countries had a vision for 50 billion dollar trade by 2022, it's unlikely to be realised. Japan's trade with China is at about 350 billion dollars.

Discussing the difficulties and obstacles, the Japanese envoy admitted that his country's investments are not growing as much as they should. "We are concentrating on manufacturing sectors like automobile industry, big road construction, and so on. But I would like to diversify our investment in this country, into sectors like the retail industry, service industries, and some environment-related industry, and food industry too."

He added: "Japanese business leaders are keen on doing more business in India. The country has huge potential vis-a-vis economic development and young talent. Japan can offer the technology and finances required to support India's development. India can reciprocate by providing us the talent bak we need for our development. That way, this can become a mutually beneficial relationship.

Singh shot the next question on trilateral cooperation between India, Japan, and the US, which has now transformed into a quadrilateral dialogue involving Australia as well. Singh asked, if in that framework, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Africa are also included, ow would the diplomat regard that, especially in view of a response to China's 'One Belt-One Road' initiative, where there are concerns related to debt sustainability and transparency of the project. To this, Kenji said that connectivity in this region is very important. "However, this should be based on basic values and principles; sound debt-financing practices and economic viability and environmental and social considerations should be guaranteed. So, we would like to promote the idea of reliable and resilient infrastructure," the Japanese envoy said.

He added: "We are hoping that a notion of a sustainable and resilient connectivity project would be implemented in the region and that the basic idea of freedom in navigation and principle of rule-based order would be shared by all countries in the region," the ambassador added.

See full interview only on WION on Saturday at 20:30 hrs and on Sunday at 18:30 hrs