Interactive Meeting with Members of the Delegation from the National DIET, Japan, May 12, 2005

The India-Japan Forum of Parliamentarians (IJFP) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) organized a close interaction with visiting Members from the House of Representatives, the lower house, in the National Diet of Japan, Mr. Shin Sakurai and Mr. Eikou Kaneta on Thursday, May 12, 2005 at Federation House. Both Mr. Sakurai and Mr. Kaneta represent the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). They were accompanied by Mr. Hidekazu Takahashi, an officer of the LDP. Mr. Sakurai sits on the Committee on Fundamental National Policies and Mr. Kaneta is the Chairman of the Committee on Financial Affairs.

The Members of Parliament present were Mr. Ashwani Kumar (Chairman, IJFP) and Mr. Dinesh Trivedi. Japanese Embassy officials, Mr. Hidenao Yanagi (Minister, Economic & Development) and Mr. Tomofumi Inoue (First Secretary), and Mr. Ramesh Chandran (Executive Director, IJFP) also attended.

Mr. Ashwani Kumar communicated to the delegates "The IJFP has a purposive determination to carry the India-Japan dialogue to new strategic heights, as spelt out by the joint statement of our Prime Ministers' Manmohan Singh and Junichiro Koizumi, during the latters' visit to India. The forum was launched formally in April this year, and intends on taking to a conclusive level, India's "Look East" foreign policy. He also expressed happiness at the increasing role of Japanese construction companies in India and was confident that the future of the India-Japan relationship would be driven by its personal content.

Mr. Sakurai spoke of the manner in which everyone was engaged in increasing agricultural production, and in competing against each other. He voiced distress over the lack of emphasis to the processing and distribution of this produce, because of which 40% was being wasted. He stressed on the need to manage the produce efficiently, rather than increasing productivity.

With reference to the freedom struggle of both countries, Mr. Sakurai said, "India and Japan faced similar circumstances. Which is why, we should have a better understanding of each others circumstances. In today's world, where everyone is concentrating on themselves, India and Japan need to collaborate further to move in the right direction."

In response, Mr. Ashwani Kumar agreed with Mr. Sakurai's viewpoint and reiterated, "India and Japan must work together to be a global power-house and conduct meaningful dialogue with Europe and the U.S."

Mr. Trivedi talked about the various geographical blocks being created all over the globe and proposed for India and Japan to initiate such a block in Asia. He termed the Indo-Japanese collaboration a revolutionary partnership, and insisted that a lot needed to be done to ensure that the people of India and Japan have a meaningful relationship.

Mr. Kaneta considered learning from each others method of working a constructive way of taking the collaboration forward. Previously, he said, there was no concrete tie up between India and Japan regarding the W.T.O and was happy at the formation of the G4. He also emphasized the Japanese outlook on competition, according to which every farmer has the right to exist in his own region.

In support of this perspective, Mr. Ashwani Kumar assured him that India also rejects the competitive view, since excessive competition causes the elimination of life itself.

Mr. Sakurai expressed appreciation for how India maintained its pride and wisdom, instead of accepting international help in dealing with the tsunami tragedy.

Mr. Chandran expressed happiness at the supportive response received by the IJFP from the Japanese side. He hoped for regular interactions between Japanese Parliamentarians, economists, think tanks and media editors and the IJFP, in the future.

Mr. Ashwani Kumar, in his concluding remarks, welcomed suggestions from his Japanese counterparts and hoped for constructive contribution from them, towards all endeavours of the IJFP.