Japan PM to pitch for unity in Modi meet amid Ukraine crisis

Fumio Kishida, the
Japanese prime minister, is on a two-day visit to India from Saturday. During his
visit, Kishida is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discuss
issues pertaining to Ukraine as well as the security infrastructure of the Indo-Pacific
region. Kishida’s visit to India comes a month before the leaders of four
nations – India, Australia, the United States and Japan are set to meet in
Tokyo for the Quad summit.

Also Read | Japanese PM Kishida in India to talk Ukraine, Indo-Pacific with Modi

During his
conversation with the Indian PM, Kishida is expected to call for a coordinated
international response to the Ukraine crisis. “Since the Russian invasion of
Ukraine coincides with this trip, I’d like to emphasis the importance of
international unity and confirm that Japan and India will work together on
various issues,” Kishida said ahead of his trip.

Also Read | Japan imposes sanctions on 15 Russian officials, nine organisations

Japan has largely
toed the West’s line on the Ukraine crisis and imposed strict sanctions on
Russian individuals and organisations. India, on the other hand, has stopped
short of any aggressive action considering its relationship with Moscow, which
among other things, is linked to Indian defence contracts.

The Japanese PM,
in course of his visit, is also expected to reinforce greater economic ties
between India and Japan. Kishida is expected to announce a $42 billion investment
in India over the next five years, according to Japanese newspaper Nikkei.

Japan has already
become a major funder of India’s public infrastructure development system. It
is also said to be investing in a high-speed railway technology based on Japan’s
own bullet train system. Further, in 2020, India and Japan signed an acquisition
and cross-servicing agreement that allows for reciprocal stocks of food, fuel
and other supplies between defence forces.

Fumio Kishida, writing
in The Indian Express, stated, that relations between India and Japan have “evolved
into an inclusive and multi-layered relationship based on cultural bonds, firm friendships
and common universal values.”