Visit to Japan by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of India
(Results and Outline)

December 10, 2001

(1) Following Prime Minister Mori's visit to India and the establishment of a "Global Partnership between Japan and India in the 21st Century" in August 2000, Japan and India have observed the enlargement of exchange and cooperation in economic fields, including the information technology (IT). Against this backdrop, the two countries further agreed to facilitate comprehensive dialogue and wider cooperation by way of expanding bilateral exchange in politics-military areas.

(2) Both countries agreed, in addition to bilateral cooperation, to cooperate on a variety of issues such as terrorism, Afghanistan, and disarmament and non-proliferation, from both a regional and global perspective.

(3) After the Summit Meeting, the Japan-India Joint Declaration was announced as a guideline for the future of the Japan-India partnership.

(4) This was the first visit by a Prime Minister of India to Japan in nine-and-a-half years. Following on from then Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's visit to India in 2000, this visit by Prime Minister Vajpayee was an important step in further promoting the widening of exchange between the two countries at a national level, toward the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-India diplomatic relations.

(1) International Terrorism Countermeasures

Prime Minister Koizumi stated that Japan was resolute in supporting the efforts of the international community, including the United States, and in taking a firm stand against terrorism. He also stated that in addition to Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) providing logistic support, Japan's policy was to cooperate through diplomatic efforts and economic cooperation, adding that he was grateful for India's cooperation during a recent call to an Indian port by Japanese SDF vessels. Prime Minister Vajpayee mentioned that counter-terrorism was an area in which Japan and India should cooperate, adding that India had been tackling the issue of terrorism for the past ten years and that there was a need to eradicate terrorism.

(2) Afghanistan

Prime Minister Koizumi stated that the early establishment of an Interim Authority would help achieve peace, and that promoting support for the reconstruction of Afghanistan was vital, adding that he hoped Japan and India would continue close cooperation in tackling this issue. He also welcomed the agreement at the conference held in Bonn, Germany, by the representatives of groups in Afghanistan regarding the establishment of an Interim Authority. Prime Minister Vajpayee also welcomed the agreement in Bonn and hoped peace and reconstruction would be achieved based on the agreement. Prime Minister Vajpayee remarked that India was already providing assistance in the form of financial support, food and medical supplies, but the scale of the reconstruction project was an enormous challenge and Japan's assistance was reassuring. Foreign Minister Tanaka stated that she hoped India would participate in the Ministerial Meeting on Reconstruction, to be held in Japan in January 2002. Prime Minister Vajpayee replied that if India were able to attend it would be an honor, expressing India's intention to participate in the Conference.

(3) Disarmament and Non-proliferation

Prime Minister Koizumi requested that India understood Japan's position on the issue, being the only nation to have experienced nuclear bombing, and that India would make efforts towards disarmament and non-proliferation, including signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Prime Minister Koizumi also stated that, although it was unfortunate India was opposed to the draft resolution on the elimination of nuclear weapons, he expressed his hope that India would cooperate towards the common goal of eliminating nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Vajpayee responded that he fully understood Japan's opinion and sentiment on the issue and that India's position was laid out in the Japan-India Joint Declaration. Prime Minister Vajpayee explained that India had carried out nuclear weapons testing as a defensive measure and had since continued a unilateral moratorium on nuclear weapons testing, adding that he supported the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Vajpayee explained that the reason India had carried out the testing was due to the fact that no other nation was in a position to help India during a time of difficulty, and that the removal of the causes that led to the nuclear weapons test would be the path to peace.

(4) Discontinuation of Measures in Response to Nuclear Testing Conducted by India

Prime Minister Koizumi stated that Japan had recently discontinued its measures taken in response to the nuclear testing by India, and that he hoped that in the future, exchange between the two countries, including economic cooperation, would enhance and expand relations between Japan and India. Prime Minister Vajpayee expressed his gratitude on the discontinuation of the measures, adding that he intended to work on further developing the partnership between the two countries based upon the centuries of Japan-India exchange.

(5) India-Pakistan Relations

Foreign Minister Tanaka stated that she hoped the Kashmir Issue would be resolved through friendly dialogue between India and Pakistan, touching upon her visit to Pakistan in November, during which she encouraged Pakistan to begin talks with India. Prime Minister Vajpayee stated that India had always been pursuing a peaceful resolution to the issue through talks, and that although progress since the Summit Meeting in Lahore, Pakistan, had been disappointing, the President of Pakistan was invited to make a visit to India, during which efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue were sought. Prime Minister Koizumi observed that although the Kashmir Issue between India and Pakistan was a sensitive one, both countries' firm stance against terrorism was having a positive effect on the Afghanistan situation, adding that he hoped the conflict between the two countries would be resolved through efforts to exercise self-restraint.

(6) The Economy and Economic Cooperation

Prime Minister Koizumi explained that a Survey Mission on Economic Cooperation would be dispatched to India next year, and that the provision of additional funds (worth approximately 56 billion yen) for the Delhi Mass Rapid Transport System Project and the Simhadri Thermal Power Station had been decided. Prime Minister Koizumi highly praised the activities of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) and welcomed the agreement to receive the JOCV in India. The Prime Minister added that Japan was prepared to offer cooperation in tackling pollution in the Holy River Ganges. Prime Minister Vajpayee replied that he was grateful for Japan's offer of cooperation in the cleanup of the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers, adding that a joint commission to review specific proposals on the issue was one suggestion being considered. Prime Minister Vajpayee then explained to Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa that he sought Japan's assistance in helping to accelerate the economic development of India, stating that he understood the concerns of Japanese companies in relation to investment in India in such areas as infrastructure construction, adding he intended to work to alleviate these concerns.

(7) Bilateral Relations

Prime Minister Koizumi stated that Prime Minister Vajpayee's visit to Japan was at a very favorable time, since 2002 will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-India diplomatic relations, and the Prime Minister's visit was immediately after the birth of Her Imperial Highness the Princess. The Prime Minister added that in the future he intended to further deepen economic cooperation on security and counter-terrorism, as well as establish an organization to further advance friendly relations toward the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-India diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Vajpayee responded that it was a honor to be able to share in the joy of the birth of Her Imperial Highness the Princess, and that he would work to further advance Japan-India relations toward the opportunity offered by the 50th anniversary, based on the results achieved by former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's visit to India.

(8) Other Areas of Discussion

Prime Minister Koizumi called on India to participate in the next world exposition to be held in Japan, Expo 2005 Aichi, with Prime Minister Vajpayee responding that India would certainly like to take part.