"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] A message from Mrs. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan to H.E. Mr. Jaswant Singh, Minister of External Affairs of India on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India

[Place]
[Date] April 26, 2002
[Source] Ministry of External Affairs, India
[Notes]
[Full text]

Excellency,

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Japan and India, I would like to extend my heartiest felicitations to Your Excellency. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Your Excellency for hosting a reception of commemorative of the anniversary today.

Japan and India share close and friendly sentiments towards each other, based on spiritual and cultural ties that have existed since old times. After the establishment of the diplomatic relations, our two countries have elevated the relations to the one marked with friendship and cooperation.

In recent years, we have observed not only the expanded economic relations and cultural exchanges but also widened and deepened dialogues on political/security issues and defence exchanges.

In culmination, two recent developments namely "Japan-India global partnership in the 21st century", was agreed on during Prime Minister Mori's visit to India in August 2000, and "Japan-India Joint Declaration" was issued during Prime Minister Vajpayee's visit to Japan last December, are highly significant as Japan and India pronounce their confirmation to work jointly on global issues as responsible states, in addition to promoting of bilateral relations in the traditional context.

I would like to work hand in hand with Your Excellency for further developing Japan-India relations as well as for peace, stability, development, and prosperity of Asia and the world.

In this auspicious year of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, I sincerely hope that the ties of mutual trust and friendship between Japanese and Indian peoples as well as the two governments will be further strengthened and our exchanges will further expand.

Yoriko Kawaguchi

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan