[Title] Japan-India Partnership in a New Asian Era: Strategic Orientation of Japan-India Global Partnership

1. H.E. Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, the Prime Minister of Japan, is currently paying an official visit to India from April 28 to 30, 2005, at the invitation of H. E. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of the Republic of India. The two leaders held in-depth discussions on April 29, during which they covered the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. The discussions focussed in particular on adding greater substance to bilateral relations and on measures to further deepen the Japan-India Global Partnership, taking into account the steady development in bilateral relations and the far-reaching changes in the international situation, in particular the new surge of change taking place in Asia.

2. The two leaders recalled that their meeting was taking place in the fifth anniversary year of "Japan-India Global Partnership". Observing that spiritual affinities, enduring cultural contacts, shared commitment to the ideals of democracy, tolerance, pluralism and open society, and a high degree of commonality of political, economic and strategic interests provided a strong basis for a long-term partnership, the two leaders noted the increasing salience of the Japan-India Global Partnership and decided to strengthen it through an Eight-fold Initiative.

The New Asian Era

3. The two leaders recognize that the current international situation, characterised by inter-dependence and the advent of globalisation, offers fresh opportunities to both Japan and India for enhanced engagement for mutual benefit. In this context, they expressed happiness at the rapid transformation taking place in Asia and their confidence in the bright future that lies ahead. A new surge of change, creativity and vitality is transforming Asia, aided by the strengthening of economic linkages, that include bilateral and regional arrangements, initiatives for greater regional integration as well as multilateral trade liberalisation. Asia is now truly emerging as the leading growth centre of the global economy and exerting an ever-greater influence in the global affairs.

4. The two leaders are deeply aware that these developments will shape the future contours of Asian economies and politics. They also share the recognition that peace, stability and development in Asia is indispensable for world peace and development and the future of the world is intimately linked to the future of Asia. The two leaders recognise the need for concerted efforts among Asian countries to translate the positive developments into an 'Arc of Advantage and Prosperity' involving growth, prosperity, stability and closer integration in Asia. They are also aware of the responsibility that the two countries shoulder in this new emerging Asian era and are committed to closely working towards that end.

Common Vision of Partnership

5. Japan and India share a global vision of peace, stability and shared prosperity, based on sustainable development. Shared democratic values and commitment to human rights, pluralism, open society, and the rule of law underpin the global partnership between the two countries. The global partnership between Japan and India reflects a broad convergence of their long-term political, economic and strategic interests, aspirations, objectives and concerns. Japan and India view each other as partners that have responsibility for, and are capable of, responding to global and regional challenges in keeping with their global partnership. A strong, prosperous and dynamic India is, therefore, in the interest of Japan and vice versa. In the above context and in view of the current international situation, the two leaders decided to reinforce the strategic focus of the global partnership between Japan and India.

Expanding Cooperation: New Strategic Focus of Global Partnership

6. As partners in the new Asian era and with this new strategic orientation of their partnership, Japan and India, as two responsible and major players in Asia, and as nations sharing common values and principles, will expand their traditional bilateral cooperation to cooperation in Asia and beyond. With this new focus, Japan and India will be partners in peace, with a common interest in and complementary responsibility for promoting the security, stability and prosperity of Asia as well as in advancing international peace and equitable development.

7. The renewed partnership between Japan and India will feature the following three layers of cooperation:

- Bilaterally, the two countries will further strengthen their cooperation and pursue an all round and comprehensive development of bilateral relations with a particular and urgent focus on strengthening economic ties through full utilisation of the existing and potential complementarities in their economies;

- Regionally, the two countries will strive to develop closer dialogue and collaboration to secure peace, stability, and prosperity in Asia, promote democracy and development, and explore a new architecture for closer regional cooperation in Asia; and

- Globally, the two countries will strengthen cooperation in diverse areas such as environment, energy, disarmament, non-proliferation and security, taking advantage of, and further building on, their strategic convergences.

Eight-fold Initiative for Strengthening Japan-India Global Partnership

8. In order to realize the full potential of their global partnership, the two leaders decided on an Eight-fold Initiative and decided to make their utmost effort to implement this Initiative, which comprises of measures for cooperation in eight key areas of interaction, namely: (i) enhanced and upgraded dialogue architecture, including strengthening of the momentum of high-level exchanges, launching of a High Level Strategic Dialogue and full utilization of the existing dialogue mechanisms; (ii) comprehensive economic engagement, through expansion of trade in goods and services, investment flows and other areas of economic cooperation, and exploration of a Japan-India economic partnership agreement; (iii) enhanced security dialogue and cooperation; (iv) Science and Technology Initiative; (v) cultural and academic initiatives and strengthening of people-to-people contacts to raise the visibility and profile of one country in the other; (vi) cooperation in ushering a new Asian era; (vii) cooperation in the United Nations and other international organizations, including cooperation for the early realization of U.N. reforms, particularly Security Council reform; and (viii) cooperation in responding to global challenges and opportunities. The details of the Eight-fold Initiative are attached herewith.

9. H.E. Prime Minister Koizumi thanked the Government and the people of India for their warm hospitality and extended a cordial invitation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit Japan at a mutually convenient time. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accepted the invitation with appreciation. The dates of the visit will be decided through diplomatic channels.

Prime Minister of Japan

Prime Minister of the Republic of India

New Delhi, April 29, 2005