The year 2022 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Japan and India.
Japan and India signed a peace treaty and established diplomatic relations in April, 1952. Ever since then, the two countries have enjoyed cordial relations.
Now our countries are “Special Strategic and Global Partner” whereby political, security, economic and cultural relations are strengthening.
Today, Japan-India relations have further deepened and prospered in various facets. Japanese investment in India has augmented remarkably.
The consulate-general of Japan in Kolkata is one of the oldest diplomatic establishments, set up in 1907. Kolkata has a legacy of being the cultural hub of India and a gateway to intellectual and cultural exchanges between Japan and India.
Way back in 1902, Japanese scholar and philosopher, Okakura Tenshin, came to Kolkata and met Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore along with other intellectuals of that era. This was followed by the visit of eminent Japanese painter, Yokoyama Taikan, to the city when he interacted with eminent Indian painters, including Abanindranath Tagore and Gaganendranath Tagore.
The theme of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India is “Building a future for our Centenary”, with the hope that the dreams and expectations of both Japanese and Indian friends across generations shall continue to develop together towards the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India and beyond.
I would like to make this year an opportunity to promote better economic and cultural relations with Kolkata and West Bengal as well as Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand, which are under the jurisdiction of my office.
Since March 2020, the Covid-19 infection has affected all countries, I sincerely hope that each country will work together to overcome Covid-19 as soon as possible.
I believe that 2022 will bring you peace, prosperity and good health, and that our two nations will continue to learn from each other and grow ever closer.
Yutaka Nakamura is the consul general of Japan in Kolkata