Japan PM lands in India to push closer ties
Abe's trip comes as Japan and China are locked in a bitter row over islands in the East China Sea.
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.
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.