~It is an honour for my delegation and me to be received with such warmth and gracious hospitality and to be jointly hosted here by the political and economic leadership of the Kansai region.

This is not my first visit to your country or to this city. But each time I come here, I am struck by the amazing energy and dynamism of your society and the felicity with which it blends continuity and change.

It is entirely appropriate that I should start my visit to Japan from Osaka. The Kansai region is indisputably the economic power house of Japan. It has nurtured the industrial and manufacturing giants of Japan which have become household names in India and the world. The region is also in the vanguard of India-Japan bilateral economic cooperation, absorbing about a quarter of India’s exports to Japan sending one-fifth of Japan’s exports to India.

We also have other ancient and valuable connections with this region. Our cultural affinities and common spiritual traditions are symbolized by the beautiful Buddhist temples of Nara and Kyoto, which received the teachings and scriptures of the Buddha from India 14 centuries ago.

Kansai has also been the region in which much of the small but vibrant Indian community in this country has found their vocation and economic moorings. It is heart warming for us that the community has integrated so harmoniously into Japanese society even while retaining its cultural heritage.

When Prime Minister Mori visited India last August, we recognized the profound possibilities for a global partnership between India and Japan into the 21st century. International developments since then have reinforced the arguments for such a partnership. We should endeavour to qualitatively transform our bilateral political relationship, with a strong underpinning of trade and economic linkages, cultural and educational exchanges and synergies in science and technology. Osaka and the Kansai region have a stellar role to play in this endeavour.

A senior multi-sectoral business delegation from India, which is with me in Japan, has had the opportunity today of detailed interaction with their Japanese counterparts. I am sure some synergies have been established and new opportunities discovered. I am convinced that the path to enhancement of India-Japan trade and investment relations lies through an intensive awareness campaign which bridges the information gap between the business communities of the two countries.

Next year, India and Japan celebrate the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. The Kansai region would surely participate strongly in these celebrations, reflecting not only the 50 years of interaction with independent India but also the 14 centuries of spiritual and cultural intercourse with India. Let this anniversary year be the occasion for us to rediscover and strengthen our partnership.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I request you to join me in a toast

to the health and happiness of Her Excellency Madam Governor,

His Excellency the Mayor and the Leadership of the Kansai Region.

to eternal friendship between the peoples of India and Japan.

Thank you.