Leading Indian Academic Dr.C. Raj Kumar and Parliamentarian Dr. Abhishek M. Singhvi Address Members of Japanese Parliament at the Diet
OP Jindal University
Tokyo [Japan], June 26: Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), addressed members of the Japanese Parliament at the National Diet of Japan during a high-level policy dialogue aimed at strengthening India-Japan strategic cooperation. This prestigious event, hosted by the Japanese Parliamentary Committee for World Federation, was themed: 'India and Japan: Partners in Democracy, Drivers of Innovation, and Architects of a Sustainable Future.'
In his address to the Japanese Parliamentarians, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar underscored the growing significance of inter-parliamentary dialogue and academic partnerships in tackling shared global challenges. 'We are witnessing a historic moment where universities and parliaments must work together to shape the future of democracy and development,' said Professor Kumar. 'India and Japan can lead the way--not only through economic cooperation, but by investing in people, knowledge, and institutions that advance peace, justice, and sustainability.'
Professor Kumar further stated: 'JGU's presence in Japan's Parliament is a symbol of the power of education to bridge cultures and build alliances. We believe that meaningful diplomacy must also be academic, intellectual, and people-centric.'
The highlight of the session was an address by Dr. Abhishek M. Singhvi, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), who spoke eloquently about the shared democratic values of India and Japan and their potential to influence the global discourse. Dr. Singhvi called for deeper collaboration between India and Japan in areas such as technology, education, climate resilience, and global governance, while stressing the need for a peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable Indo-Pacific vision. 'India and Japan are not just allies of circumstance--we are civilizational partners in democracy, innovation, and global responsibility,' said Dr. Singhvi. 'As two of Asia's strongest democracies, our task is to jointly lead by example--through pluralism, through peace, and through principled partnerships for the planet.'
The event brought together more than 35 senior members of the Japanese legislature and government officials.
Mr. Seishiro Eto, Former (17th) President of the Japanese Parliamentary Committee for World Federation (Acting President in the absence of Chairman Fukushiro Nukaga), inaugurated the dialogue and extended a warm welcome to the distinguished Indian guests.
H.E. Mr. Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, was invited to the interaction and conveyed his deep appreciation to the members of the Japanese Parliament, the Government of Japan, and the Indian delegation from O.P. Jindal Global University led by Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar for advancing meaningful bilateral cooperation in higher education and research.
Hon'ble Shingo Miyamoto, Director-General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Asia Department, expressed his optimism for the fast-growing relations between Japan and India across multiple domains, particularly in the sphere of higher education and institutional collaboration.
Hon'ble Kuniko Inoguchi, Member of the House of Councillors, Former Minister of Gender Equality, and Professor at Sophia University, warmly welcomed the Indian delegation. She highlighted her longstanding engagement with India and expressed her enthusiasm for seeing a greater presence of Indian students and Indian knowledge traditions in Japan.
Hon'ble Dr. Sukehiro Hasegawa, a respected parliamentary expert and former UN official, welcomed stronger India-Japan exchanges, stating that 'Japan needs Indian creativity and imagination to invigorate its global policies, and for the two countries to become strong global leaders together.'
The event saw participation from a broad spectrum of Japanese political parties and parliamentary experts, underscoring the deep, cross-party interest in strengthening Indo-Japanese ties.
Distinguished participants included at the National Diet of Japan:
Liberal Democratic Party:
- Hon'ble Masahiko Shibayama, Member of the House of Representatives, Acting Secretary-General, Former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Hon'ble Kuniko Inoguchi, Member of the House of Councillors, Co-Vice Chairperson, Former Minister of Gender Equality
- Hon'ble Fukushiro Nukaga, Member of the House of Representatives, President, Japanese Parliamentary Committee for World Federation; Former Minister of Finance; Former Director-General of the Japan Defence Agency
- Hon'ble Rintaro Ishibashi, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hon'ble Yohei Onishi, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hon'ble Masaaki Koike, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hon'ble Jun Tsushima, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hon'ble Hirofumi Takinami, Member of the House of Councillors
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan
- Hon'ble Yuki Baba, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hon'ble Motoko Mizuno, Member of the House of Councillors
- Hon'ble Mamoru Umetani, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hon'ble Hiroki Saito, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hon'ble Shinji Sugimura, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hon'ble Sekio Masuda, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hon'ble Daiki Michishita, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hon'ble Issei Yamagishi, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hon'ble Hiroshi Kasa, Member of the House of Representatives
- Hon'ble Ayaka Shiomura, Member of the House of Councillors
Democratic Party For the People
- Hon'ble Kiichiro Hatoyama, Member of the House of Representatives (Son of Former Prime Minister Hon'ble Yukio Hatoyama)
Japan Innovation Party
- Hon'ble Kenta Aoshima, Member of the House of Councillors
Japanese Communist Party
- Hon'ble Tetsuya Shiokawa, Member of the House of Representatives
NHK Party
- Hon'ble Satoshi Hamada, Member of the House of Councillors
Sanseito
- Hon'ble Yuko Kitano, Member of the House of Representatives
Independent
- Hon'ble Makiko Dogome, Member of the House of Councillors
Government of Japan
- Hon'ble Shingo Miyamoto, Director-General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Asia Department
Collaborating Organization
WFM Youth Forum
- Hon'ble Koji Mitamura, Chairperson
- Hon'ble Kohei Mitamura, President, Mitamura Group (Fukuho Bank Founding Family, Owner of Bunky Corporation entrusted by MEXT, and the Koshinomiyako Media Network)
Parliamentary Experts
- Hon'ble Dr. Sukehiro Hasegawa, Former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General
- Hon'ble Masakuni Tanimoto, International Committee Chairman of WFM-Japan; Under Secretary-General, Japanese Parliamentary Committee for World Federation
This parliamentary engagement marked Professor Raj Kumar's second consecutive address at the National Diet of Japan, following his 2024 lecture on 'The Role of India and Japan in Global Governance.' His return this year reaffirms O.P. Jindal Global University's steadfast commitment to academic diplomacy and its growing leadership in strengthening India-Japan relations through education.
The interaction at the National Diet was a powerful testament to the shared democratic values, strategic convergence, and mutual aspirations of India and Japan. It highlighted the indispensable role of education, research, and intellectual exchange in crafting a resilient, innovative, and peaceful future for both nations and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by OP Jindal University. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
36 minutes ago
- The Print
Jal Shakti Minister Paatil reaffirms position on IWT, revival of Tulbul project
The Modi government put the IWT in abeyance as part of a diplomatic response to the 22 April terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir's Pahalgam which left 26 dead. The government had said the treaty will be in abeyance until Pakistan gives credible proof that it is renouncing support for cross-border terrorism. 'The decision that the Indian government has taken, our prime minister has taken to put the IWT in abeyance continues… It is in the interest of the country. Any action that is taken will be in the interest of everyone and for the benefit of the country,' Paatil told a press conference here. New Delhi: There is no change in India's position of keeping the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance and any further decision taken on it will be in India's interest, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil said Thursday. He also asserted the Tulbul navigation project on Kashmir's Wular Lake will be revived. The World Bank-brokered 1960 treaty between India and Pakistan allows India unrestricted rights over waters of the three eastern rivers on the Indus basin—Ravi, Beas and Sutlej—which account for approximately 20 percent of the water carried by the Indus system. Pakistan is allowed unrestricted use of waters of the three western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab—which is roughly 80 percent of the water carried by the Indus system. Asked about Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement in an interview to Times of India that IWT will not be restored, Paatil said, 'Amit Shahji bade neta hain, nirnayak bhi hain…unhone jo kaha hai, theek hi hoga (Amit Shahji is a big leader, he is decisive also…whatever he has said should be correct)'. On Pakistan writing to India to renegotiate the IWT, Paatil said, 'Pakistan writing to us is not new… these things go on. But no action has been taken on it so far.' Responding to former Pakistani foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto's statement Islamabad would not hesitate to respond if its water rights were violated, Paatil said, 'Bilawal Bhutto has said many things, but we are not afraid of his comments. Hum gidar bhabhkiyon se nahin darte (We are not scared by blusters).' Also Read: With Indus Waters Treaty on hold, India working to revive Tulbul project on Kashmir's Wular Lake 'Tulbul project will be revived' The government is also expediting work on four proposed hydro projects on the western rivers. But Paatil declined to give further details of the projects, saying it's too early for that. Government sources said the four projects include the 1,856-MW Sawalkot hydroelectric project (Chenab), the 930-MW Kirthai-II hydroelectric power project (Chenab), the 260-MW Dulhasti Stage-II (Chenab) and the 240-MW Uri-I Stage-II (Jhelum). All of these are in Jammu & Kashmir, and long-term projects. In the short-term, India has started regular flushing (a sediment removal method) of its existing reservoirs on the western rivers to remove silt and sediment that have deposited in them. The IWT allows flushing of reservoirs in August during monsoon. In the absence of regular flushing, silt and sediments get deposited in the reservoirs over a period of time and render them ineffective in the long run. Paatil, however, confirmed that the government has decided to revive the Tulbul navigation project. 'We will study the Detailed Project Report for Tulbul before deciding,' the minister said. The project, which envisages constructing a 439-ft long and 40-ft wide barrage with a storage capacity of 0.30 million acre feet below the Wular Lake near Ningli to stabilise Jhelum's water level, was abandoned midway in 1987 after strong objections from Pakistan. Civil works, including concrete piling and foundation works on the left bank were already completed by then. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: What's the Tulbul project Omar, Mehbooba are sparring over & why has it been in limbo for decades
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Mizoram govt may confiscate Myanmar IDs of refugees: CM
Aizawl: Mizoram CM Lalduhoma on Thursday told joint secretary for ministry of external affairs (MEA) Surinder Bhagat in Aizawl that the state govt has been contemplating to confiscate Myanmar identity cards of the refugees taking shelter in the state and have the habit of moving repeatedly to Myanmar and coming back. Lalduhoma said though there are refugees who are very obedient, some of them are crossing the Mizoram-Myanmar border repeatedly, while some even break the laws of the land. "We intend to take stern action against such refugees and have been thinking of confiscating Myanmar IDs when they cross over from their country to Mizoram," he said. He also informed Bhagat about the state govt's plans to collect biometric data of all the refugees from Myanmar taking refuge in the state. The chief minister also underscored the need to obtain prosecution sanction from the Protector General of Emigrants in regards to fake placement agencies and that such licences have already been cancelled by the state govt. Bhagat, who is also Protector General of Emigrants, was also apprised by Lalduhoma about a Mizo boy and a girl who are studying medical science in China and are currently facing serious problems there. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The Protector General of Emigrants regretted that there have been some fake placement agencies which sent Indians abroad for work and continue to indulge in further scams by using those they sent to foreign countries. "Our young people should take all safety measures while trying to find jobs abroad," he said, adding, the central govt is most likely to initiate recruitment for sending Indian youths to work in Taiwan. After holding a conference with the CM, Bhagat held further discussions with secretary to chief minister Vanlaldina Fanai and officials of the Mizo Diaspora Cell on several issues about the dealings between the MEA and the state govt.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Son docks amid stars, parents over the moon
1 2 Lucknow: It is the biggest moment of our lives, said an emotional Shambhu Dayal Shukla, father of Shubhanshu Shukla , who along with three fellow astronauts reached the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Space-X Dragon spacecraft on Thursday. Recalling how before leaving Shubhanshu had told the family, "Mission pe jaa raha hoon, poora karke milta hoon sabse (I'm going for the mission, will meet everyone once it's complete)," the proud father revealed how the 39-year-old astronaut's single-minded dedication since 2006 helped him achieve the milestone. "Even during family celebrations, he never broke his strict diet. That discipline is what has taken him this far," he added After the Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), an overwhelming wave of pride and emotion swept through Lucknow. At City Montessori School (CMS), where Shubhanshu studied till Class 12, the moment was celebrated with chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', 'India-India', and 'Hip Hip Hurray'. Teachers, friends, alumni, and hundreds of students rose to their feet in a spontaneous standing ovation, waving the national flag as tears and cheers filled the air. "As a father, there are no words that can fully express what I felt when the spacecraft docked. My hands were folded in prayer, and my eyes were full of tears. That moment, it was not just a scientific milestone, it was our son fulfilling a dream he had chased with unshakable determination since his selection. He is our son, but today, he is the pride of every Indian," said Shambhu Dayal Shukla. "Shubhanshu is a true devotee of Lord Hanuman and other gods. Now, we are just praying that he completes his mission safely and returns home soon," said mother, Asha Shukla. "Watching him go from reading science books as a child to actually floating in space is beyond words. Our whole family is bursting with pride. His journey is proof that hard work, discipline, and belief can take you all the way to the stars," said, sister, Suchi Shukla. CMS manager Geeta Gandhi Kingdon said, "We are delighted like all Indians, more so as he is an alumnus who has made all of us so proud."
