Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Japanese Senior Deputy FM Namazu hold key talks on Indo-Pacific cooperation
Tokyo (Japan), May 22 (ANI): Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Hiroyuki Namazu, Senior Deputy Foreign Minister of Japan, to discuss India-Japan cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and other shared interests.
The Indian Embassy in Japan shared the update on social media with the hashtag #ConnectingHimalayaswithMountFuji.
Misri also met Takehiro Funakoshi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan for the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister Dialogue in Tokyo. Discussions covered advancing the India Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, and conveying India's message on zero tolerance for terror.
Meanwhile, an All-Party Parliamentary Delegation from India met with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Tokyo, reaffirming India's firm national consensus and resolute commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms.
During the meeting, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya expressed strong support for India's counter-terrorism stance, praised the restraint shown by New Delhi, and called for strict action against the perpetrators of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. He emphasized that 'terrorism must be eliminated' and noted that he had been briefed on the matter by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
Echoing this, JD(U) MP and delegation leader Sanjay Kumar Jha told ANI that India's position was conveyed firmly and received strong support from the Japanese side. 'The Minister appreciated our stand and clearly stated that those behind such acts must be punished. He supported India's position and acknowledged the seriousness of the Pahalgam incident,' Jha said.
Earlier in the day, the delegation paid floral tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Edogawa, Tokyo. This gesture symbolised India's enduring commitment to peace and principled stand in global affairs, setting the tone for the delegation's broader message of non-violence and justice.
Building on this, Jha addressed the media with a strong appeal to world leaders to unite in isolating Pakistan for its role in sponsoring terrorism. 'After the Pahalgam terror attack, it's clear that Pakistan continues to fund, train, and harbour terrorists. Our aim is to highlight this through Operation Sindoor and urge global unity against such state-backed terror,' he stated.
Prior to the diplomatic meetings, the Indian Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George, briefed the All-Party Delegation. He noted that Japan was the first country to respond with solidarity after the Pahalgam attack. The Indian Embassy in Tokyo also shared that India's zero-tolerance stance on cross-border terrorism--central to Operation Sindoor--would be strongly emphasized in all international engagements.
The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation comprises Ambassador Mohan Kumar, BJP MPs Dr. Hemang Joshi, Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, and Pradan Baruah; CPI(M) MP John Brittas; and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee. The team will continue its outreach in Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore to build consensus on India's counter-terrorism efforts and rally global support post-Pahalgam.
The series of diplomatic engagements in Tokyo mark India's proactive global outreach and underline its determination to strengthen strategic ties and lead an international campaign against terrorism. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Visit aspirational dists, spend at least 24 hrs: PM Modi to ministers
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi Wednesday asked all ministers to visit aspirational districts and blocks and spend at least 24 hours there, The Indian Express has learnt. This was conveyed during the meeting of the Union Council of Ministers, the first after Operation Sindoor, under the PM's chairmanship and went on for over three-and-a-half hours. Without mentioning Operation Sindoor, the PM in his closing remarks is learnt to have told the ministers that the world has seen India's defence might. The nature of war has changed and all can happen in just 20 minutes, he is learnt to have told the ministers. During the meeting, Cabinet Secretary T V Samanathan made a presentation on '11 years of transformational governance', detailing the NDA government's achievements. Secretaries of the central government were present. It is learnt that Modi asked the ministers and secretaries to not compare the last 10 years of achievements with the previous 10 years and focus on the targets set for the coming years. Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Secretary Debashree Mukherjee made a presentation on her ministry's 'Catch the Rain' campaign. The PM suggested that MGNREGS funds should be used for water conservation works like it is used in other schemes PMAY-G. During the meeting, Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava made a presentation on obesity. In March, the Prime Minister had termed obesity as the 'root cause of many diseases' and appealed to the people to 'reduce the intake of cooking oil by 10 per cent in your daily diet as it leads to obesity'. NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam made a presentation on Aspirational District Program (ADP) and Aspirational Block Programme (ABP). It was pointed out that 5 Union ministers have not visited aspirational districts assigned to them. The PM then asked ministers to visit aspirational districts and spend at least 24 hours there. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
The Print
33 minutes ago
- The Print
Alternative to choke points, IMEC strategic necessity for India in changing world order—MEA
'Historical choke points like Gibraltar, the Malacca Strait, Panama Canal, and the Red Sea have shown us that disruption is inevitable when access is concentrated [at specific points],' he said, adding that the IMEC offered a necessary alternative in an increasingly uncertain global landscape. Speaking at the Chintan Research Foundation-hosted IMEC conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, Ravi highlighted how global crises, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, had exposed critical vulnerabilities in existing supply chains. New Delhi: The government sees the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a strategic imperative for its future economic and geopolitical ambitions, said Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). 'IMEC is the starting point for India. On the western front, it starts from India, [then] UAE, Saudi, Jordan, Israel, Greece [France and Italy]—there are seven important countries here,' he said. 'On the eastern front is the trilateral island, so you have India, Myanmar, Thailand, and connecting to ASEAN. These are very important. Actually, from a strategic point of view, IMEC is very critical for India.' Strategic necessity in a changing world India's economic aspirations, a projected $30 trillion GDP by 2047, require robust external connectivity, said Ravi. The economic secretary also argued that corridors such as IMEC, as well as the Trilateral Highway, would be vital to support India's industrial ambitions. 'We are at just three percent of global manufacturing compared to China's 30 percent. As we scale up, these corridors will become essential platforms for trade and supply chains,' he added. Also Read: IMEC a 'channel of peace' says Greek minister, plays up growing ties with 'inviolable partner' India India's digital & infrastructure advantage Ravi laid his emphasis on India's competitive edge in building low-cost infrastructure, including ports, highways, railways, and airports, alongside its pioneering Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). 'Digitally connecting IMEC is a first-mover opportunity for India,' he said. 'These are low-cost, scaleable solutions we can lead.' He argued that IMEC would not be just a trade route but a multimodal economic corridor, integrating energy grids, digital systems, and transport infrastructure. 'It is a chance to bring in investment and boost manufacturing along the corridor and expand markets into the hinterland.' While countries such as China have advanced the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through centralised control and $1 trillion investment in deep funds, democracies must navigate a slower, consensus-driven process, Ravi said, noting under-development models like EU's Global Gateway Forum and the US-led Global Partnership for Infrastructure Investment. 'Democracies debate, deliberate, and move slower, but collaboration is our strength,' Ravi said, calling for a multilateral approach to IMEC. He floated the idea of an IMEC Fund to support execution over time and proposed the creation of an IMEC Secretariat to ensure coordination, timelines, and project continuity. Geopolitical hurdles & role of diplomacy Ravi acknowledged the geopolitical headwind facing the project—from sanctioned Russia and Iran to politically unstable Myanmar. 'These are challenges we must engage with diplomatically. Every participating country's foreign office needs to be actively involved,' he said. He also warned against internal economic resistance, urging Indian industries to see the corridor as an opportunity, not a threat. 'We will need to build narratives that reassure domestic players while keeping the long-term benefits in view. Also, you need a Secretariat for the IMEC. You need to have a coordinating mechanism, without which you will not be able to have timelines, and you will not be able to fulfil your objectives with clarity, ' he added. In conclusion, Ravi positioned IMEC not as a competitor to existing trade routes such as the Suez Canal but as a complementary system. 'Multiple routes mean greater resilience. IMEC is not about replacing but expanding global trade possibilities,' he said, adding that one should not see IMEC 'as a competitor to the Suez Canal; rather, it is a complementary trade route'. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Global trade needs IMEC. Not just India-Europe, it'll boost markets in Middle East too
The Print
34 minutes ago
- The Print
French trade minister meets Piyush Goyal, says France one of India's best economic partners
'With my Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal, I reaffirmed a conviction: France is one of India's best economic partners… Reforms, stability, innovation, access to EU and India markets: there's everything to strengthen our bilateral relationship,' Saint-Martin stated in a post on X. The minister highlighted the potential to further strengthen bilateral ties through 'reforms, stability, innovation, and enhanced market access to the EU and Indian markets.' Paris : French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin on Tuesday reaffirmed the 'conviction' that France is one of 'India's best economic partners' after his meeting with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in Paris. Following his meeting with Goyal, Saint-Martin also expressed optimism about the ongoing India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, anticipating a possible agreement in the coming weeks or months. 'It's important to demonstrate that we believe in free trade, not trade wars,' he stressed. 'Minister Goyal arrived with a strong business delegation – over 50 companies, which is significant. At a time when global trade is facing challenges, we believe it's crucial for India and France to strengthen their ties… The European Union and India are progressing toward a Free Trade Agreement, and as a member of the European Commission, we fully support this… I'm optimistic that we could see an agreement in the coming weeks or months… It's important to demonstrate that we believe in free trade, not trade wars,' the French Minister told reporters. He emphasised the importance of fostering deeper cross-border trade and investments between the two nations. 'At the same time, we must foster deeper bilateral relations between France and India, which means enhancing cross-investments, more cross-border trade… All the friendship that President Macron and PM Modi have will, of course, help our bilateral relations to go deeper now,' he added. Earlier on Monday, the Union Minister held a productive meeting with French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Eric Lombard, focusing on deepening the India-France economic partnership with an emphasis on trade, investments, and technology cooperation. The discussions, which took place during Goyal's three-day official visit to France, also reviewed the progress of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, signalling a strong intent to bolster bilateral ties amidst a shared commitment to innovation and economic growth. 'Held a productive meeting with Eric Lombard, French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. Exchanged views on deepening our economic partnership, enhancing trade & investments with a special focus on technology and innovation across key sectors. Also discussed the progress of the India-EU FTA negotiations. Looking forward to stronger India-France economic ties,' Goyal said in a post on X. He also expressed optimism that India could finalise its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) ahead of the year-end deadline, citing minimal divergences between the two economic blocs. Goyal also held a series of high-level meetings in Paris with top French CEOs to explore new opportunities for India's growth across key sectors such as renewable energy, automobile manufacturing, electric vehicles (EVs), and consumer products. The minister commenced his three-day official visit to Paris on Sunday as part of his ongoing visit to France and Italy from 1 to 5 June 2025. This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content Also read: US, India to give preferential access to each other's businesses, says Piyush Goyal
