I place a special emphasis on Japan’s relationship with India. In 2007, when I visited India for the first time as Prime Minister, I was honoured with an opportunity to address the Parliament of India. In the speech entitled “Confluence of the Two Seas” I stated, “The Japan-India relationship is blessed with the largest potential for development of any bilateral relationship anywhere in the world.”

My belief has become stronger and stronger and it has now turned into my conviction. In January 2014, I visited India for the first time after reappointment as Prime Minister and was honoured to be invited as chief guest at the Republic Day of India.

Japan and India share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law and strategic interests. I believe that “strong India is in the best interest of Japan, and strong Japan is in the best interest of India.” While Japan contributes to development of India, Japan learns from India a lot. Taking the opportunity of this third visit to India as Prime Minister, it is my intention to make the potential of Japan-India relations fully bloom and dramatically develop.

Hand in hand with Prime Minister Narendra Modi I intend to make the “Confluence of the Two Seas” – the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean – open, peaceful and abundant, and we shall further advance peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region in the 21st century.

India has possibility for great development and enormous infrastructure demand. For many years, Japan has served as a development partner of India, and in recent years has been cooperating with India through the provision of yen loans on the largest scale. Also, in order to push forward sustainable growth, Japan is supporting a variety of Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives such as “Make in India”, “Skill India”, and “Clean India”.

Japan has been making contributions to the development of India through quality infrastructure that has outstanding economic efficiency, is in harmony with the environment, and is longlasting. One excellent example of this is the Delhi Metro, which is serving as an essential public transportation system for the people of Delhi. I am extremely happy that Prime Minister Modi has shared his hopes, saying, “No nation has contributed so much to India’s modernisation and progress like Japan – cars, metros and industrial parks, for example. And, no partner is likely to play as big a role in India’s transformation as Japan.”

Japan’s approach to business is to take time with regard to building things in India, and to build things that have quality and meet India’s needs. Rather than imposing ideas, Japan takes a long view, becomes rooted in local communities, and thinks and walks forward together with the local people. The number of Japanese companies in India has grown to over 1,200. India with an abundant work force and high economic growth, and Japan with soft power, experience, technology, finance and discipline, have “mutual complementarity” and are natural partners that can develop a win-win relationship.

Japan and India are natural partners also in maritime security. Japan and India are two major seafaring countries of Asia, located in the cornerstone of the Indo-Pacific region. As such, our countries share extensive roles and responsibilities with regard to nurturing and enriching the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean to become seas of the clearest transparence, and keeping these seas open, free and safe.

In October this year, a Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel “Fuyuzuki” participated in the India-US “Malabar” exercise in Bay of Bengal. Japan will continue to participate in these important exercises on a regular basis hereafter.

At the East Asia Summit (EAS) in November, a concern was expressed regarding the trends in the South China Sea. In order to maintain an open, free and peaceful sea, it becomes important more and more for there to be collaboration between Japan and India, as well as collaboration with the international community including US.

India, a key player in the international community, plays a significant role on various issues which international society faces.

From the standpoint of Japan’s policy of “Proactive Contribution to Peace,” which is based on the principle of international cooperation, Japan will contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and international community in a more proactive manner. Expressing my gratitude for the understanding and support of Prime Minister Modi to Japan’s security policies, I intend to deepen cooperation with India based on the recently established “legislation for peace and security.”

The fact that through United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform, our two countries are aiming to become new permanent members is also an important shared agenda. At the meeting of G4 leaders on UNSC Reform hosted by Prime Minister Modi in September, Prime Minister Modi, Chancellor Merkel of Germany, President Rousseff of Brazil, and I agreed to collaborate closely with the aim of delivering concrete outcomes during this session of the United Nations General Assembly, in order to reform the Security Council so that it reflects the realities of the 21st century. I am determined to promote UNSC reform continuously with close cooperation with Prime Minister Modi.

Expansion of cultural and personnel exchanges is a significant base to develop the Japan-India relationship in the long run.

Japan and India share a tradition of Buddhism, as well as fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Most Japanese respect India’s mathematical ability and Indian civilisation going back thousands of years. Spreading an attitude of tolerance which accepts diversity throughout the Indo-Pacific region will contribute to the peace and stability of this region.

I intend to further promote exchanges between the people of Japan and India. In particular, I would like more Indian students to come to Japan, creating an abundance of young human resource.

We have the “bilateral relationship with the greatest potential in the world,” and I will turn this potential into reality. I am convinced that Prime Minister Modi and I can achieve this by working together.