The just-concluded visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Japan is going to catapult India-Japan bilateral ties to a higher trajectory, if the economic, security and political dimensions of the relationship are seen in tandem. Progress in these areas has been slow, no doubt, but the commitments and sincerity by both sides should be kept in mind. That is why the joint statement issued by both the Prime Ministers was appropriately worded “Vision for India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership in the Next Decade”. This means both have a long-term horizon in mind.
Prime Minister Singh’s visit to Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam, in that order, is a demonstration of India’s resolve to pursue and deepen its “Look East Policy”. That Singh’s pursuance of India’s “Look East Policy” got priority over his subsequently cancelled visit in September for the UN General Assembly in New York is a testimony to Singh’s prioritizing India’s increasing regional profile, as he could have very well held bilateral discussions with world leaders in New York.
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