Chairman’s Greeting
I have been appointed as the 9th President of The Japan-India Association, succeeding the late Shinzo Abe, the former President. This year marks the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan-India Association, which was founded in Meiji 36 (1903). The Association is a venerable organization created with the purpose of direct interaction with India, which was then a British colony, by our predecessors. It is a great responsibility to serve as the President of this historic association. However, considering that I am succeeding former Prime Ministers Yoshiro Mori and Shinzo Abe, who served as Presidents for over 20 years, I felt I must accept this role.
Although I did not have the opportunity to visit India during my tenure as Prime Minister, I have met Prime Minister Modi several times after taking over from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Last year, we met in May and September, and on each occasion, we deepened our personal relationship by sharing our thoughts openly, cherishing and developing the rare bilateral relationship that shares the common values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law under the vision of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," at the confluence of the two seas, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
The "Global Partnership in the 21st Century" initiated by former Prime Minister Mori in 2000 evolved into a "Special Strategic Global Partnership" during former Prime Minister Abe's term, and we have been working hard to strengthen our relationship with India, our strategic partner, in all areas including politics, security, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchange. We must continue to advance in these efforts.
This year, as Japan chairs the G7 and India the G20, both countries must work together to lead the world, ensuring that the bilateral co-prosperity contributes to the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region as a whole. At a time when the world faces various crises, taking on the role of President of the Japan-India Association, one of the significant bridges between Japan and India, is indeed a mission bestowed by fate, as the late President Shinzo Abe said. I am determined to dedicate my full effort in carrying forward his will. I kindly request the support and cooperation of all our members.
Chairman Yoshihide Suga
