Press release Fact Sheet: India and Japan, Working Together for Peace and Prosperity
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Fact Sheet: India and Japan, Working Together for Peace and Prosperity

Fact Sheet: India and Japan, Working Together for Peace and Prosperity

December 12, 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a summit meeting on December 12. Following the Joint Statement, they instructed relevant authorities to further advance cooperation in the following areas. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue annual summit meetings to give strategic directions to broad and diverse bilateral agenda.

Political Dialogues
    Annual Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue was held in January 2015, and the next round will take place in 2016.
  1. Annual Defence Ministers Dialogue was held in March 2015, and the two sides shared the intention to meet again in 2016.
  2. Dialogues of National Security Advisors and consultations between the two National Security Secretariats were held to share deeper mutual understanding on the ways and means of cooperation across the full range of security issues.
  3. The meetings of Foreign Secretary of India and Vice Foreign Minister of Japan were held in June, October and December 2015.
  4. The ?2+2? meeting with the participation of the Foreign and Defence Secretaries and Vice Ministers was held in Delhi in April 2015.
  5. The inaugural India-Japan-U.S. Trilateral Ministerial Dialogue was held in September 2015. The two sides noted that the three countries will seek closer collaboration in such areas as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, regional connectivity as well as maritime security.
  6. The inaugural India-Japan-Australia Trilateral Dialogue at the Secretary/Vice-Minister level in Delhi was held in June 2015. The two sides look forward to the next meeting in 2016.

    Security Cooperation
  7. The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Japan concerning Security Measures for the Protection of Classified Military Information was signed in December 2015.
  8. The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Japan concerning the Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology was signed in December 2015.
  9. The two sides welcomed the progress made in the discussions on defence equipment and technology cooperation and decided that further interactions are encouraged in order to identify potential cooperation areas.
  10. Japan participated in the India-US Malabar exercise in October 2015.
  11. Indian Navy (IN) participated in the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Fleet Review- 2015. IN welcomes participation of JMSDF in the India International Fleet Review 2016 scheduled to be held in India off the coast of Vishakhapatnam in February 2016.
  12. The Indian Army and the Japan Ground-Self Defense Force pursue proactive development of exchanges in areas of Peacekeeping Operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, as well as exchanges of both leaderships and staffs.
  13. The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) have decided to hold the inaugural Air Staff Talks in 2016 with the view to enhance the service cooperation and functional level Exchanges.
  14. The bilateral dialogue and joint exercise were held between the Indian Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard in October 2014. The two sides welcomed the bilateral dialogue and the joint exercise off the coast of Chennai in January 2016.
  15. The bilateral dialogue on disarmament and non-proliferation was held in November 2015, where the two sides decided to hold the 5th India-Japan Consultation on Disarmament and Non-proliferation as soon as possible.
  16. The second India-Japan Maritime Affairs Dialogue was held last month.
  17. The 4th India-Japan Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism was held in November 2015.
  18. The two sides decided to hold the 2nd India-Japan Cyber Dialogue at an early date in 2016.

    Investment
  19. The two sides welcomed the steady progress following the "India-Japan Investment Promotion Partnership? announced in September 2014.
  20. The two sides decided to hold the bilateral dialogue between the India?s Ministry of Finance and the Japan's Ministry of Finance to seek wider cooperation on financial issues such as financial markets, banking, insurance and financial regulations. A financial cooperation discussion between India and Japan was held on November 17, 2014.
  21. The two sides shared the view that "Action Agenda for the India-Japan Investment and Trade Promotion and Indo-Pacific Economic Integration? signed by the Minister of Commerce and Industry of India and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) in April 2015 in New Delhi is a positive step.
  22. "Japan Plus? was established in the Government of India in October 2014. The two sides appreciated the role played by it to further enhance investment and assist Japanese companies in India.
  23. The two sides also welcomed the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) signed between the Indian States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, since the last summit, with Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.
  24. The two sides acknowledged the steps undertaken by concerned State Governments of India to develop JITs, with a view to facilitate Japanese investment, and acknowledged the important role of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in this regard. The two sides welcomed the progress of JITs including the commencement of Ghilot Industrial Park in April 2015 and of Supa Industrial Park in September 2015.
  25. The two sides welcomed successful results of investment seminars in Tokyo co-hosted by JETRO, Chambers of Commerce and the Indian States of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
  26. The two sides welcomed the efforts of various State Governments to accelerate improving their business environment especially in the Japan Industrial Townships (JITs) and other eligible industrial townships. Such efforts include improvement of infrastructure within the industrial townships and surrounding areas and other applicable incentives such as tax breaks. The two sides will encourage holding of policy dialogue between METI and concerned State Governments.
  27. The two sides welcomed the completion of the Master Plan of the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) in July 2015, and recognised that the listed priority projects identified in the Master Plan would enhance business infrastructure in South India.
  28. The Japanese side expressed the intention of establishing a new mechanism "Japan-India Internet of Things (IoT) Investment Initiative.?
  29. The two sides welcomed the signing of Protocol amending the Convention between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Japan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.

    Development Assistance
  30. The two sides congratulated each other on the signing of the Exchange of Notes on Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans for the Chennai Metro Project (IV) and the Ahmedabad Metro Project (I), amounting to more than 100 billion yen in total, which will dramatically facilitate the mobility of the citizens in both cities.
  31. The two sides welcomed the outcome of the bilateral consultation on Japanese ODA Loan for metro and railway projects in India, and expressed their willingness in this regard to cooperate on materialising forthcoming metro and railway projects.
  32. The two sides recognised the importance of the "Clean Ganga Initiative? that Prime Minister Modi had initiated, and shared the view towards the rejuvenation of the Ganga River. The two sides welcomed the commencement of the preparatory survey by Japan for Ganga rejuvenation, targeting Varanasi city and neighbouring cities. The two sides expressed hope that this potential project will lead to the enhancement of quality of life. The two sides also noted the importance of encouraging the private sector to participate in the initiatives in the field of public sanitation.
  33. The Indian side appreciated Japan?s intention to provide ODA loans for the improvement of road network connectivity in northeastern states and for the peripheral ring road surrounding Bengaluru, amounting to approximately 67 billion and 45 billion yen respectively. The Indian side also appreciated Japan?s intention to provide an ODA loan amounting to approximately 5 billion yen for horticulture micro drip irrigation in Jharkhand.
  34. Welcoming the progress achieved in the Smart Community Projects in the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) area such as the Logistics Data Bank project, the Mega Solar Power project in Neemrana, and the Grid Stabilisation project in Gujarat, the two sides instructed relevant authorities to accelerate these smart community projects. The two sides recognised the need of immediately deciding to its service level and the concrete steps towards the realisation of the Logistics Data Bank Project.
  35. The two sides welcomed the progress of the preparatory survey on the project for setting up of a canal-top grid connect solar photovoltaic power plant in Gujarat as a model for next generation infrastructure.
  36. The two sides noted the progress of the Champions for Societal Manufacturing (CSM) Project and welcomed its continuation, including the sub-project "Village Buddha,? as a valuable Japanese contribution to "Make in India.?
  37. The two sides welcomed the progress of the preparatory survey regarding the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. Indian side appreciated that a preparatory survey on Tuticorin Outer Harbour is expected to commence early next year.
  38. The Indian side noted the data collection survey of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on modernisation of ship recycling yards in Gujarat is well in progress.
  39. The two sides also shared their recognition that further cooperation is required in order to promote transfer of leading low-carbon technologies by Japan?s investments to India.

    Energy and Mineral Resources
  40. The two sides recognised importance of renewable energy source to tackle energy security and climate change, and welcomed the initiation of a study on appropriate measures to deploy energy storage technologies in India.
  41. The two sides welcomed progress of model projects organised by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy. The two sides welcomed the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) signed in December 2015 for the model project by NEDO for smart grid in Panipat city, Haryana.
  42. The two sides decided to continue to promote well-functioning energy markets and affirmed to promote transparent and diversified Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market through the relaxation of destination clause.
  43. The two sides noted the Sale Purchase Agreement (SPA) between the Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) and the Toyotsu Rare Earths India (TREI) Private Limited, a subsidiary of Toyota-Tsusho Corporation (TTC), Japan for supply of Mixed Rare Earth Chloride. The two sides decided to continue discussions to cooperate in the rare earths sector and the commencement of commercial production at the earliest.
  44. The two sides affirmed their intention to further strengthen energy cooperation and to hold the 8th India-Japan Energy Dialogue in Tokyo early next year.
  45. The two sides welcomed the signing of the Statement of Intent between National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) which will foster mutual understanding on cooperation in Energy Sector and in analysing issues related to the energy sector in December 2015.

    Agriculture and Food
  46. The first Dialogue on Agricultural Cooperation between the relevant authorities of the two sides was convened in September 2015, to pursue concrete cooperation in the area of agriculture and food industryincluding the possibility of establishing food industrial parks and developing cold chain. A delegation composed of Japanese government officials and Japanese companies visited Delhi and Andhra Pradesh in November 2015 to pursue business opportunities in this field.
  47. The two sides welcomed the signing of Memorandum Of Cooperation (MOC) in the field of forests and forestry between the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan in December 2015.

    Regional Cooperation
  48. The two sides welcomed the substantial progress in the negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which will contribute to further promoting the regional supply chains and enhance economic integration among the participating countries. The two sides are determined to further accelerate their efforts to the early conclusion of negotiations that will realise a comprehensive, high quality and mutually beneficial agreement.

    Cultural Exchange and Exchange of Peoples
  49. The Invitation of approximately 120 persons from India through Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) 2015 programme is an another instance of broadened exchanges.
  50. From January 2016, the Japanese side will relax visa requirements together with extension of visa validity and period of stay for temporary visitors. The Japanese side also decided to extend validity of multiple visa up to 10 years for temporary business purposes.
  51. The two sides noted with satisfaction the successful conclusion of a year-long Festival of India in Japan which included an exhibition of Buddhist sculpture, artist in residence, literary festival, food festival, dance and musical performances, Buddhist chanting for peace in Fukushima and Hiroshima and the celebration of the first International Day of Yoga.
  52. The two sides commended active exchanges, in the last one year, between local governments. These include the following MOUs :
    • the State Government of Karnataka and the Mie prefecture
    • the State Government of Tamil Nadu and the Kanagawa prefecture
    • the State Government of Kerala and the Sanin region; Lake Nakaumi, Lake Shinji and Mt. Daisen Area Mayors Association.
    • the State Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Toyama prefecture.
  53. The City of Kyoto and Varanasi strengthened their ties. The two sides noted the steady progress made since the signing of the document concerning the partnership city arrangement last September. In this context, the two sides commended initiatives as follows:
    • India-Japan seminar on environment solution in Varanasi in November 2015 to share information on Kyoto?s waste management policy and Kyoto City Landscape Guidelines;
    • The commencement of a community-based disaster risk reduction project by a Japanese non-governmental organisation (NGO), in which the first set of air quality and weather monitoring equipment has already been provided; and
    • The collaboration between Kyoto University and Banaras Hindu University including the signing of the General Memorandum for Academic Exchange Cooperation and the Student Exchange Agreement.
  54. Stressing the importance of the influence of political thoughts, ethics and traditions nurtured from ancient Asia as well as universal values, the two sides welcomed the symposium held in Delhi in September 2015, and expressed their expectation to the second symposium in Tokyo in January 2016.
  55. The Indian side noted the contribution of Japan, along with other international partners, to the Nalanda University project.
  56. The MOC in the Field of Education between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan and the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the Republic of India was signed in December 2015.
  57. In view of the potential in the tourism sectors and the immense opportunities, the two sides shared the intention to explore the convening of the 1st meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Tourism at an early date in Japan.
  58. The two sides decided to launch joint researches and cooperation projects in the field of social sciences and humanities, based on the letters of intent signed between the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

    Science and Technology
  59. The two sides decided to explore future bilateral cooperation in Science and Technology Joint Commission Meeting (S&T JCM) in October 2014 through:
    • Launch of India-Japan Joint laboratories in the areas of 'Internet of Things', 'Artificial Intelligence' and 'Big Data Analytics' under Department of Science and Technology - Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (DST-JST) support.
    • Launch a new fellowship programme by DST & the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) to enable reciprocal exchange of young scientist researchers.
    • IIT-Delhi has become a partner for Department of Biotechnology (DBT)-National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science (AIST) International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB) in the area of Health Research.
    • Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) programme of DST has been linked with "Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science? of JST provides opportunities to High School science students from India to visit Japan.
  60. MOU was signed between DST & High-Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) to continue the second phase of Indian beam line at Photon Factory, KEK, Tsukuba.
  61. Letter of Intent on the Strategic International Cooperative Program between DST and JSTA was signed in December 2015.
  62. Letter of Intent toward establishing a young researcher fellowship program between DST and JSPS was signed in December 2015.
  63. The two sides acknowledged the on-going cooperative civil activities in the field of space between Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and look forward to enhanced cooperation in such areas as Earth Observation, Satellite Navigation, Space Science and Planetary Exploration. The two sides also look forward to exploring technical collaboration on special materials and components between the relevant sectors of both nations.
  64. JAXA and ISRO will work together in the field of disaster prevention through the Sentinel Asia project under the framework of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) and ISRO intends to host the APRSAF in 2017.

    Cooperation in Railway Sector
  65. Memorandum of Cooperation between Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan on Technological Cooperation in Rail Sector and Memorandum of Understanding between Railway Technical Research Institute of Japan and Research Designs and Standards Organisation of India on Research and Development (R&D) collaboration in the railway sector were signed in December 2015.?

    Cooperation in Maritime Sector
  66. The 3rd India-Japan Shipping Policy Forum Meeting was held in September, 2015 in Tokyo. The two sides discussed cooperation in maritime sector including improvement of ship recycling facilities, development of ports and inland water transport in India, ship building/ship repair and cooperation on International Maritime Organisation (IMO) matters.

    Information and Communication Technology
  67. The two sides affirmed the further strengthening of collaboration in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) through the ICT Comprehensive Cooperation Framework.
  68. The 3rd India-Japan JWG meeting was held in November 4, 2015 in Tokyo and the two sides confirmed the progress of activities.

    Skills Development
  69. The two sides welcomed the establishment of India-Japan Centre of Excellence (IJCoE) in Neemrana, which would contribute to ?Make in India? and ?Skill in India? initiatives.
  70. The new Record of Discussion was signed by Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO) and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on the Technical Intern Training Programme.
  71. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the progress of cooperation regarding the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) and the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing in Jabalpur (IIITDM-J).
  72. The signing of the MOU between Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) and National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) was signed in December 2015.
  73. The 3rd Japan-India Joint Working Group on IT and Electronics held in New Delhi in November 2015. The Japanese side looked forward to promoting more robust interaction of high skilled Indian human resource in the area of Information Technology between the two countries.
  74. The two sides welcomed the continuous cooperation based on MOU in Cyber Security between Indian Computer Emergency Response Team and Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center.

    Women
  75. The two sides appreciated the growing cooperation in the field of women empowerment. The two sides stressed the need to recognise the power of women and their important role in nation building and the development of the country.

    Healthcare
  76. The first Joint Working Group (JWG) on healthcare cooperation was convened in June 2015, following the signing of MOC in the field of healthcare. The JWG expressed their desire for early implementation of concrete projects such as business partnerships in medical product sectors between the two sides.
  77. An MOC on Medical Products Regulation Dialogue and Cooperation Framework was signed in December 2015 and the two sides expressed their expectation for cooperation, including capacity building of Indian regulators.
  78. The two sides welcomed the significant progress of the joint research and development on medical devices between Osaka University and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) which meet Indian medical needs. The Indian side expressed its expectation for the support of NEDO to Green AIIMS project in cooperation with Hitachi.
  79. The two sides noted the target regarding the quantitative share of generic medicines in Japan aimed by the Government of Japan would be an excellent opportunity for collaboration between Indian and Japanese pharmaceutical companies.
New Delhi
12 December 2015