Abe says India-Japan ties should become most important in world

Tokyo, Dec 14 (UNI) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today said he was convinced that the India-Japan relationship should be nurtured and developed as the most important bilateral relationship in the world.

Speaking at the launch of the year-long Festival of India in Japan and the India-Japan Friendship Year 2007, he said he was personally committed to achieving this goal.

He noted that India was the oldest democracy in Asia and one of the most rapidly growing economies in the continent. He also pointed out that the two countries had strong civilisational and cultural links, with Buddhism providing a strong bond.

Mr Abe also felt that the India-Japan Tourism Exchange Year being observed in 2007 would help increase people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who opened the Festival, had a special word of praise for Mr Abe, who had come to the event with his wife, Akie Abe.

''Excellency, we regard you as a valued friend of India, who was taken personal interest in developing enhanced partnership between our two countries,'' he said.

Earlier, at the ceremonial reception for him at Mr Abe's official residence this afternoon, Dr Singh told his Japanese counterpart, ''Ever since you have taken charge, there is a new spring in our relationship.'' Dr Singh said the Festival would bring out the vibrancy of India's culture in all its diversity and the youthful dynamism of contemporary India's free and open society, and the great transformations that were taking place in the country.

The Prime Minister, who arrived here last night on a three-day official visit, said India was also looking forward to the Festival of Japan in India, which will showcase both modern and traditional Japanese culture, which is catching the popular imagination in India.

The two Prime Ministers launched the joint logo of the India-Japan Friendship Year 2007, which will mark the 50th anniversary of the Cultural Agreement between India and Japan.

Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) President Karan Singh was amongst those present on the occasion.

''More than a thousand years ago, the peoples of India and Japan initiated a vibrant civilisational relationship, when Buddhism traveled to Japan. The gentle message that was brought from India to Japan was a message of love, compassion and universal brotherhood,'' he said.

The Prime Minister also had a word of praise for the members of the Indian community here, many of whom were present at the inaugural function.

''I applaud their efforts to keep the culture, spirit and idea of India alive in their adopted home. They are our true ambassadors to the world since they represent the dynamism of a new India on the move,'' he said.

''I am confident that they are building new bridges between our two nations through their diligence, creativity and enterprise that have become the hallmark of the Indian diaspora all over the world,'' he said.

In the opening show at the festival, there was a shehnai recital by Pt Rajendra Prasanna and a Bharatanatyam performance by Priya Govindan.

Later, choreographer Shiamak Davar's troupe enthralled the audience with some Bollywood dances, performed in part to Japanese lyrics.

The ICCR signed an agreement with the Japan Foundation, its counterpart here, today for enhancing cultural exchanges between the two countries.

UNI SA SHB BD2013