Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shakes hands with Indian Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla in New Delhi. PHOTO: AFP
NEW DELHI: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to push for closer commercial and strategic ties with India, as Tokyo seeks to offset Beijing's growing regional might.
Since coming to power in 2012, Abe has trotted the globe, partly in his self-appointed role as salesman for Japan Inc., but also to seek counterweights to superpower China.
Abe, received at the airport by Indian government officials, told The Times of India in an interview published Saturday that he wants to "develop vigorously" economic and security cooperation with India.
Abe's trip comes as Japan and China are locked in a bitter row over islands in the East China Sea that Asia's two largest economies both claim.
Abe urged Beijing on Friday to come to the table for "vital" summit talks after being quoted as drawing comparisons between Japan-China relations now and ties between Germany and Britain before World War One.
Abe told The Times of India the "security environment of the Asia-Pacific region is becoming ever more severe".
Japan fears China is seeking to exert control over key shipping lanes around its vast coastline.
Japan and India, already carrying out joint maritime exercises, "play a vital role together for the security of sea lanes," Abe said.
India, which has its own simmering Himalayan border row with China that erupted into a brief, bloody war in 1962, has said all "regional issues" including tensions with Beijing would be discussed.
India too has been working to boost relations with Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and other Asian nations as it seeks to offset rival Beijing's rise.
"We hope the visit will lead to a deepening and strengthening of our strategic and global partnership," Indian foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said ahead of Abe's trip.
Abe, accompanied by a Japanese business delegation, was making his second official trip to India and was due to attend the annual summit between the nations.
His visit follows the first official trip to India last month by Japan's emperor and empress, billed by New Delhi as a "landmark" goodwill symbol.
Abe, who was due to meet his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh and other leaders, will be "chief guest" at India's Republic Day parade Sunday that showcases the nation's military might and cultural richness.
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@Rex Minor "No force in the world can prevent the Chinese from becoming the super Power of the Pacific region ** Nazi Germany was at one time the superpower of Europe but the Third Reich lasted less than 10 years. China is itching to follow suit. Just like Nazi Germany, it will fracture to pieces.
@Lala Gee: Chinese nuclear umbrella for a nation who has 'lots' of nuclear weapons. You don't trust your bumbs. The difference is Japan does not have WMD and US provides the protection.
@Lala Gee:
China is not even going to rescue Pakistan from balance of payments problems, as a result of which Pakistan had to approach IMF the second time in 2 years. You are expecting China to provide a nuclear umbrella.
Also, China also provides political, military and moral support to North Korea. That has worked out very well for the North, I hear.
The two people who share each others culture of denial and conflict with China on land grab; their military alliance is a disturbing factor for the region stability in the 21st century! No force in the world can prevent the Chinese from becoming the super Power of the Pacific region
Rex Minor
@Romm: Only if it were so simple
@Pops Not a good idea, I don't think Japan will allow it since they are under US nuclear umbrella. But in case of Japan-China conflict we will support Japan since they are our ally who has a stake in economic prosperity of India. Even Pakistan should support Japan since they are one of the largest donors for Pakistan, but they won't.
Pakistan should grab the opportunity to exploit the situation. Very simple proposition.
Japan already enjoys Nuclear Umbrella from US, US also maintains US soliders inside Japan for its defense. Pakistan must ask for similar Umbrella from China.
India should install some nuclear tipped missiles on each island in Japan. I am suer Abe San will allow.