[Title] Joint Statement by Prime Minister Dr. Yukio Hatoyama and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh - New Stage of Japan-India Strategic and Global Partnership -
1. Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Dr. Yukio Hatoyama and Prime Minister of India, H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh held the Annual Bilateral Summit in New Delhi on 29 December, 2009. They discussed bilateral as well as regional and global issues.
2. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed that Japan and India as partners which share common values and strategic interests, will develop the Strategic and Global Partnership further for the deepening of their bilateral relations as well as peace and prosperity of the region and the world.
3. The two Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of Annual Summits between them. They also expressed satisfaction at the deepening of the Annual Strategic Dialogue between the Foreign Ministers, as well as other policy dialogues at Ministerial level. They welcomed the desire expressed by the two Defence Ministers in Tokyo in November 2009 to hold Annual Defence Ministerial Meetings to enhance dialogue and exchanges in the defence field.
4. The two Prime Ministers expressed their satisfaction at the finalization of the Action Plan with specific measures to advance security cooperation based on the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between Japan and India issued in October 2008. The two Prime Ministers committed to enhancing the security cooperation between Japan and India according to the Action Plan, and to deepen their discussion through the newly-established framework at the Subcabinet/Senior Official - level 2 plus 2 dialogue, which was endorsed in the Action Plan.
5. The two Prime Ministers took note of the current status of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)/Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations and instructed their relevant officials to accelerate the negotiations by energetically working towards resolving the remaining issues with a view to concluding a mutually beneficial agreement at the earliest. The two Prime Ministers shared the view that economic relations between Japan and India would develop even further as a result of the conclusion of the EPA/CEPA.
6. The two Prime Ministers shared the view that Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) should continue to play a significant role in India's poverty reduction, economic and social infrastructure development, tackling environmental issues and human resource development. The Prime Minister of India expressed his appreciation to the Japanese people for their generous role in India's development.
7. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the commencement of Japan-India cooperation on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) Project with the signing of the Exchange of Notes for the Engineering Services Loan for the first phase (Rewari - Vadodara sector) in October 2009 in New Delhi, and reaffirmed their commitment to the early realization of the entire Western corridor utilizing Japan's Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP) scheme, which is expected to contribute to the further enhancement of Japan-India economic relations. Both sides also welcomed the commencement of the preliminary survey for the second phase, and will make utmost efforts for early completion of both phases of the corridor in a parallel manner. The two leaders will also work together for conclusion of the agreement for the Main Loan for the first phase by March 2010 and for commencement of the assistance for the second phase at the earliest in 2010. Both sides will strive for early finalization of a funding and implementation schedule for the whole Western Corridor.
8. The two Prime Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the steady development of the collaboration in the establishment of Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IITH) and reiterated their commitment to collaborate through various contributions from Japan including through Official Development Assistance. They noted with satisfaction that the Japanese side has established the IITH Consortium consisting of government, academia and industry.
9. The two Prime Ministers shared the view that the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) Project is moving forward from the planning stage to the implementation stage and reaffirmed their resolve to realize the DMIC Project, which plays an important role in promoting investment by Japanese companies, and has a potential to facilitate the development of the entire Asian region. In this regard, they expressed their satisfaction with the joint establishment of the Project Development Fund (PDF) with support of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), which is jointly initiated by Japan and India. They welcomed substantive progress on DMIC Project including the completion of the Perspective plan and advancement of Early Bird Projects. The two Prime Ministers took note of the Memorandum of Understanding between DMICDC and JETRO on "Smart Communities and Eco-friendly Townships".
10. The two leaders welcomed the decision to establish a JETRO Chennai office which would accelerate further investment by small and medium-sized Japanese enterprises to India.
11. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the enhanced bilateral cooperation on energy under the Japan-India Ministerial-level Energy Dialogue, particularly in energy efficiency and conservation sectors as well as the coal and power sectors. The two Prime Ministers stressed the need for accelerating bilateral cooperation in these vital areas and expressed strong expectations for the progress to be achieved in the next Ministerial-level Energy Dialogue in New Delhi. The two Prime Ministers shared the view that nuclear energy can play an important role as a safe, sustainable and non-polluting source of energy in meeting the rising global energy demands. They also noted that under the Energy Dialogue the Energy Ministers will exchange views and information on their respective nuclear energy policies.
The two Prime Ministers also recognized the importance of promoting cooperation between the two countries' industries in order to expand bilateral energy cooperation on a commercial basis. In this regard, they welcomed progress achieved under the Japan-India Energy Forum held by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of India.
12. Recognizing the role of technology cooperation in the bilateral partnership, the two Prime Ministers took note of the progress made by the bilateral consultative mechanism on high technology trade, and decided to step up efforts to facilitate such trade by addressing respective concerns, including export controls.
13. The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction on the achievements made at the third meeting of the Japan-India Joint Working Group on Urban Development in June 2009 and reaffirmed their intention to continue concrete cooperative efforts in the field of Urban Development based on this outcome.
14. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the launch of Japan-India ICT Seminar and shared the view that they will enhance cooperation in the field of information and Communication Technology through bilateral consultations including at the ministerial level.
15. The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction that the waiver of visa requirements for holders of Diplomatic Passports began on 1 January, 2008. They expressed hope that the number of Japanese tourists visiting India will increase as a result of the recent decision by the Government of India to introduce of a visa on arrival scheme for tourists from five countries including Japan on an experimental basis. In order to facilitate two-way travel, they directed the concerned authorities to accelerate the consultation on simplification of visa procedures and to complete it in a year.
16. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the renewed international attention to and confirmed their commitment to the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Hatoyama stressed the importance of bringing into force the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) at an early date. Prime Minister Singh reiterated India's commitment to a unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing. The two Prime Ministers supported the immediate commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament and an early conclusion of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). They also supported the strengthening of international cooperation with a view to addressing the challenges of nuclear terrorism and clandestine proliferation.
17. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the Copenhagen Accord. They reaffirmed their determination to work closely together in the negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) towards an agreed outcome, to be adopted at the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties. Prime Minister Singh welcomed the announcement of the "Hatoyama Initiative".
18. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their resolve to realize a comprehensive reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, especially its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories. They welcomed the progress so far achieved in the intergovernmental negotiations in the UN General Assembly, in which an expansion in both categories has commanded the most support from Member States. The Prime Ministers decided to accelerate their efforts, in close cooperation with the G4 and other like-minded countries, with a view to achieving a meaningful result during the 64th Session of the General Assembly, so as to make the Security Council more representative, credible and effective for meeting the challenges of the new century.
19. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed that an ambitious and balanced conclusion of the WTO Doha Round in 2010 will play an important role in responding to the global economic crisis and committed to working together towards this end.
20. The two Prime Ministers valued the G-20 as the premier forum for our international economic cooperation and commended its timely and strong policy response in the crisis. They welcomed the Framework for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth launched at Pittsburgh and looked forward to its implementation. They reiterated the importance of the comprehensive package of regulatory measures to prevent recurrence of the crisis. Both sides welcomed the Pittsburgh Summit's focus to address reforms of the international financial institutions (IFIs) in order to improve their credibility, governance and effectiveness, and looked forward to its implementation within the agreed timelines. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to eschewing protectionism in all its forms covering trade in goods and services as well as investment and financial flows. In a spirit of friendship and cooperation, they looked forward to further working closely together, as well as with others.
21. The two Prime Ministers reiterated the condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purpose. They reaffirmed the importance both countries attach to counter-terrorism cooperation in the United Nations, and affirmed to continue working towards the finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Prime Minister Hatoyama expressed strong condemnation of the terror attacks in Mumbai last year. The two Prime Ministers emphasized the utmost importance of bringing the perpetrators of the terrorist attack to justice. Japan expressed its support for India's efforts to become a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). At the bilateral level, they underlined their determination to strengthen co-operation through the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
22. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their support for the East Asia Summit as an open, inclusive, transparent and forward looking forum. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the decision of the EAS Economic Ministers to task the Senior Economic Officials to discuss and consider the recommendations in the Phase I and II reports on Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA) .The two Prime Ministers welcomed the efforts by Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) for promoting economic growth in East Asia, focusing on such areas as facilitating sub-regional development, expanding the middle class and stimulating consumer market, and for working with the ADB and the ASEAN Secretariat to accelerate the completion of a "Comprehensive Asian Development Plan" in order to enhance the connectivity of the region.
23. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to work together in the framework of regional cooperation. Prime Minister Singh noted with appreciation Prime Minister Hatoyama's initiative for an East Asian community.
24. Prime Minister Hatoyama welcomed India's initiative in the East Asia Summit process to establish the Nalanda University as a non-State, non-profit, secular and self-governing international institution with a continental focus to enable students from all countries of Asia to acquire liberal and human education. They acknowledged that this initiative will strengthen the cultural and civilizational bonds between the countries of Asia.
25. Prime Minister Hatoyama expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome by Prime Minister Singh. Prime Minister Hatoyama extended his invitation to Prime Minister Singh for their next Annual Bilateral Summit in Japan next year at a mutually convenient date to be decided through diplomatic channels. Prime Minister Singh accepted the invitation with pleasure.
New Delhi, 29 December, 2009
Dr. Yukio Hatoyama
Prime Minister of Japan
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of the Republic of India