India, Japan can form Arc of Freedom and Prosperity

New Delhi, Aug 22: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today called for forming an open, transparent and ''immense network'' involving India, Japan, the US and Australia where people, goods, capital and knowledge would be allowed to ''flow freely''.

This would entail India and Japan working together, the way classical dancers and musicians match their ''incredibly delicate rhythms'' and carrying out the pursuit of freedom and prosperity in the region, Mr Abe said in his address to a joint sitting of Parliament.

In fact, the Japanese diplomats were now promoting various concepts in a host of areas to form a region called ''the Arc of Freedom and Prosperity'' along the outer rim of the Euroasian continent, he said in his 20-minute address, punctuated by frequent applause from the members of the two Houses.

The ongoing Strategic Global Partnership between India and Japan was pivotal for such pursuits to be successful, the Prime Minister said.

''By Japan and India coming together in this way, this 'broader Asia' will evolve into an immense network spanning the entirety of the Pacific Ocean, incorporating the United States of America and Australia. Open and transparent, this network will allow people, goods, capital and knowledge to flow freely.''

In his address titled ''Confluence of the Two Seas,'' Mr Abe said Japanese invariably marvelled at Indian classical dance forms such as 'Bharatanatyam' and 'Kathak' in which the ''contrasts of the static and dynamic are lively and brilliant. ''The breathing of the dancers and musicians match perfectly at the culmination of incredibly delicate rhythms, as if scripted that way.

''We, India and Japan, want to become partners who exhibit just this type of perfect match with each other. No, let me state here that we most certainly can become just such partners,'' the Prime Minister said.

Mr Abe was seated on the dais alongwith Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Hamid Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

The Japanese leader began his address quoting Swami Vivekananda, whom he referred to frequently. ''The different streams, having their sources in different places, all mingle their water in the sea.'' He said, ''It gives me tremendous pleasure to be able to begin my address today with the words of Swami Vivekananda, the great spiritual leader that India gave the world.'' The Pacific and the Indian Oceans were now bringing about a dynamic coupling as seas of freedom and of prosperity, he said.

''Our two countries have the ability and the responsibility to ensure that it broadens yet further and to nurture and enrich these seas to become seas of clearest transparence.

''This is the message I wish to deliver directly today to the one billion people of India. That is why I stand before you now in the Central Hall (of Parliament) of the highest chamber, to speak with you, the people's representatives of India,'' he said.

On the question of bilateral cooperation in the area of security, Mr Abe said diplomats and defence officials ''must consider (this) jointly. I would like to put that before Prime Minister Singh for his consideration''. Referring to the proposed 2,800-km Delhi-Mumbai-Kolkata freight corridor with an average speed of 100 kmph, he said the final reports of the feasibility studies would be ready in two months.

''This is a project of tremendous significance, and Japan is actively considering means for financial assistance.'' Japan would also closely cooperate with India in the establishment of a ''dedicated fund'' for the proposed 100-billion dollar Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor project, cleared by the UPA government last week.

''We are also in perfect agreement that a strong India is in the best interest of Japan, and a strong Japan is in the best interest of India,'' he said.

Mr Abe announced that Japan would ''welcome'' 500 Indian youth per year, of whom about 100 would be allocated for those studying Japanese or teaching Japanese. ''This is precisely an investment towards future generations.'' This would also contribute to the ''broader Asia'' concept and bring about freedom and prosperity in the world as well as ''coexistence'' between different peoples, as Vivekananda preached.

UNI