‘Japan shares India’s concerns over China’s One Belt, One Road project’
NEWDELHI: Japan shares India’s concerns about Chinese President Xi Jingping’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) project though Tokyo attended a meet on it for bilateral reasons. In an interview, Japanese ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu said he understands why India is involved in Doklam and backed external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj’s statement on finding a diplomatic solution. Excerpts:
Unlike India that boycotted the One Belt, One Road conference, Japan took part in it. Is the project a topic of continuing discussion between India and Japan?
We attended the conference because it was on infrastructure. Also, we factored in the bilateral ties between the two countries. But we believe these projects should have viable funding that doesn’t leave behind debt traps, protects environment and
So, barring concerns of sovereignty, you have similar concerns like India?
That’s right. India and Japan are strategic partners. We continue to discuss OBOR.
Your view on the Doklam standoff between India and China?
Doklam is a dispute between Bhutan and China... The two countries are engaged in border talks... We understand India has a treaty understanding with Bhutan; that’s why its troops got involved. We believe no country should change status of Doklam by unilateral use of force.
Japan has territorial disputes with China in East China Sea. You think incidents like Doklam are a sign of Beijing getting assertive about sovereignty?
We support the statement of external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj that India is engaged with China in finding a diplomatic solution to the standoff. It is not easy to make such assumptions, and some instances could be seen as they are.
Do you think IndiaJapanUS trilateral Malabar exercises should be expanded to include countries such as Australia?
The trilateral exercise is expanding into newer areas. We welcome participation of a country like Australia. But our attempt is to first consolidate trilateral cooperation.
India has remained the largest recipient of overseas development assistance project of Japan. Are you going to have a relook at it in any manner?
Not really... but we are looking at including projects in environment and to develop sewerage, an area where we have advanced technology.