New Delhi 01 August : His Excellency Mr. Nukaga Fukushiro, Speaker, House of Representatives, Japan, leading a parliamentary delegation to India, called on Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla in Parliament House Complex today. The Japanese Parliamentary Delegation is on a five-day visit to India.
Shri Birla extended a warm welcome to the Japanese Parliamentary Delegation. On this occasion, Shri Birla, while referring to the commitment of the Indian Parliament towards women empowerment, informed His Excellency Fukushiro that several important bills including the Nari Shakti Vandan Act were passed in the first session of the new Parliament House. Describing the budget session as the most important session, Shri Birla mentioned India’s growing economic progress and how India is moving ahead in every field.
Referring to the ancient and deep relations between India and Japan, Shri Birla said that both civilizations have a shared heritage of Buddhism which connects the citizens of both countries. Shri Birla described this type of people to people contact as the foundation of friendly relations between the two countries. Shri Birla expressed happiness over the large number of tourists and pilgrims coming to India from Japan every year to visit religious places related to Buddhism and said that this develops mutual understanding between the citizens of both countries.
Referring to the shared democratic values of India and Japan, Shri Birla informed the Japanese delegation that around 650 million people participated in the Lok Sabha elections held this year. He further said that in India, on an average, there are more than 2 million voters per constituency. Shri Birla informed that the election process in India is conducted by the Election Commission, which itself is a constitutional body. He further said that the Election Commission of India has a record of conducting free, fair and transparent elections.
Referring to the country’s long democratic journey, Shri Birla said that since independence in the year 1947, the Indian people have developed their country through democracy. He further said that during this period, there have been extensive socio-economic changes in the country. Shri Birla expressed pride and said that many challenges in the country’s development journey have been resolved by the public representatives of the country through consensus-disagreement and discussion dialogue.
Referring to the formation of the government for the third consecutive time under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Birla said that today the economy of India is growing rapidly. He further said that due to the strong and transparent government in the country, there are huge possibilities of economic investment. There are also ample opportunities for investment in the states. Shri Birla expressed happiness and said that many Japanese companies are working in India. He expressed hope that the mutual cooperation between the two countries will continue to grow in the field of economic investment and technology.
Emphasizing on further promoting cooperation between the parliaments of Japan and India, Shri Birla said that both the countries can further strengthen the people to people relations through parliamentary diplomacy. He further said that both the parliaments can share their best practices, innovations, good traditions, achievements, which will enhance mutual understanding between the two parliaments and pave the way for new aspects of cooperation. In this context, Shri Birla suggested that parliamentary delegations of both the countries should visit each other’s countries regularly. He further said that the Parliamentary Friendship Group should have regular dialogue on various subjects so that we can benefit from each other’s experiences.
Referring to the maximum use of digital technology in Parliament, Shri Birla said that major changes are being made in this direction in India due to the digital revolution.
Referring to India’s Parliamentary Training Institute PRIDE, Shri Birla said that participants from more than 100 countries come for training and capacity building organized by PRIDE. He hoped that both the Parliaments can consider creating a framework for cooperation between the Parliamentary Training Institutes. Shri Birla expressed happiness and said that due to the strong relations between the two Parliaments, not only has there been closeness in mutual relations, but many new dimensions have also been added to them with the changing perspective.
Recalling his visit to Japan for the P-20 Summit in 2019, Shri Birla said that in that meeting, wide range of issues was between the two sides on trade, technology and sustainable development. Shri Birla also recalled the meeting held at the P20 Summit in India last year.
Sharing his views on this occasion, Excellency Fukushiro, first of all, congratulated the Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla on being elected as the Speaker for the second consecutive term. He thanked Shri Birla for giving the opportunity to watch the proceedings of House and also appreciated the efforts of the Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla to strengthen India-Japan relations. Excellency Fukushiro expressed his condolences on the landslide accident in Kerala.
Referring to the economic relations between the two countries, Excellency Fukushiro said that Japanese companies are keen to invest in India. He also emphasized on promoting the exchange of human resources between India and Japan. Excellency Fukushiro said that more economic cooperation will provide employment opportunities to the youth of India and will also give a boost to the economy of Japan. He emphasized on increasing cooperation between the two countries in the field of technology like IT, semi-conductors and artificial intelligence.
Referring to the strategic relationship between the two countries, Excellency Fukushiro said that Japan and India are two strong democracies on the Asian continent based on shared democratic values and the rule of law. He further said that Asian peace and prosperity will be established through close cooperation between India and Japan.
