Arunachal CM Khandu holds key meetings in Tokyo to boost India–Japan ties

Itanagar, Oct 23: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, currently on an official visit to Japan, held a series of high-level meetings in Tokyo on Thursday aimed at deepening cultural, economic, and technological cooperation between India and Japan.

In a significant engagement, Khandu met Yasutoshi Nishimura, Member of the House of Representatives of Japan and Chairman of the Japan–India Parliamentary Friendship League. The two leaders discussed ways to advance the India–Japan partnership and expand cultural exchanges.

“We discussed taking forward the India–Japan partnership to further strengthen our cultural ties and explore avenues of development cooperation,” Khandu said in a post on X after the meeting.

The Chief Minister also met Toshiaki Nishikawa, Chairman and CEO of ASEAN Group Co. Ltd and its associated companies. During the interaction, Nishikawa reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the presence of the Indian workforce in Japan and highlighted ongoing collaborations with several Indian states to promote Japanese language learning and skill development.

“Encouraging to see such initiatives strengthening the India–Japan partnership,” Khandu noted, acknowledging Japan’s proactive role in supporting India’s skilled workforce development.

Khandu also attended a luncheon meeting with senior Japanese leaders — Itsunori Onodera, Chair of the Policy Research Council and the Tax System Research Council; Yoshiaki Wada, former Member of the House of Representatives; and Rui Matsukawa, Member of the House of Councillors. The discussion focused on deepening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for stronger India–Japan ties.

“Grateful for their warm hospitality and insightful discussions aimed at further deepening India–Japan relations in line with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision during his recent visit to Japan,” Khandu said in another post.

In another engagement, the Chief Minister interacted with officials of Sankyo Frontier Co. Ltd, a Japanese firm specialising in modular and factory-built construction solutions. Khandu praised their innovative technology that allows rapid, all-weather construction in remote and high-altitude areas, saying such models could revolutionise infrastructure development in Arunachal Pradesh and the wider Himalayan region.

“Innovative ideas like these can truly transform the way we build in the Himalayas,” he remarked.

Officials said Khandu’s ongoing visit reflects a concerted effort to promote collaboration in technology, infrastructure, and human resource development while reinforcing cultural and strategic ties between Arunachal Pradesh and Japan.

PTI