(Asahi: December 13, 2015 – p. 2)

 Following is the gist of the joint statement “Japan-India Vision 2025,” issued on Dec. 12:

 Vision for deep, broad-based, and action-oriented partnership

· Japan and India uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity; peaceful settlement of disputes; democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; open global trade regime; and freedom of navigation and overflight. They pledge to work for peace, security and development of the Indo-Pacific region toward 2025.

· They welcome the conclusion of the Agreement concerning the Transfer of the Defense Equipment and Technology and the Agreement concerning Security Measures for the Protection of Classified Military Information.

· They also welcome Japan’s participation in the India-U.S. Malabar Exercises on a regular basis.

· The two Prime Ministers welcomed the holding of the Japan-India-U.S. Trilateral dialogue among the Foreign Ministers of the three countries in September 2015. They expressed satisfaction on the inaugural Japan-India-Australia trilateral dialogue.

· The two Prime Ministers welcomed the agreement reached between the two governments on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and confirmed that this agreement will be signed after the technical details are finalized, including those related to the necessary internal procedures.

 Investing in the Future

· The two Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation on the introduction of Japan’s high speed railways technologies (the Shinkansen system) to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. The two sides expressed their expectation that the total commitment of Japanese ODA yen loan to India in FY2015 may reach around 400 billion yen, including about 100 billion yen for the subway projects in Chennai and Ahmedabad.

· Japan will invite 10,000 young Indians to visit Japan in the next five years.

 Vision for Peace and Stability

· Noting the developments in the South China Sea, the two Prime Ministers called upon all states to avoid unilateral actions that could lead to tension in the region.

· India supports Japan’s efforts including “proactive contribution to peace” and “legislation for peace and security.”

· The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their intention to work together for the early realization of UN reforms, particularly Security Council reform. Japan conveyed its support for India’s membership in APEC.

· The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Abe stressed the importance of early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

 [See full text of “Japan and India Vision 2025 Special Strategic and Global Partnership: Working Together for Peace and Prosperity of the Indo-Pacific Region and the World”]