(1) After the devastation of the recent earthquake and tsunami disasters, the Japanese people’s calm and well-disciplined manner in the time of crisis, and the swift recovery of the country’s infrastructure such as railways and roads, have drawn positive attention from India.

The theme given above envisages Japan making a “fresh start” after the earthquake, and India, with its growing dynamism and increasing presence in the international community, to refocus on the growth of their bilateral relations from a fresh perspective. The theme also acts as a message that the people of Japan and India look forward to discovering new facets of each other through increased people-to-people contact, and broaden their engagement comprehensively, especially in the economic sphere.

(2) On the other hand, although the bilateral relationship has been deepening over the years, the images upheld in both the countries about each other are still based on stereotypes. For example, India’s images in Japan could be limited to “the country where Buddhism originated and came to Japan 1500 years ago, or as the country where curries and yoga are popular”, whereas Japan’s image in India may be confined to “the country with latest technology and its diligent people”.

The message inherent in the landmark of the 60th anniversary of our bilateral relations is that, it is necessary for both countries to develop the relationship from a new perspective, with a view to highlighting the above positive images to each other against the backdrop of the foundation of the bilateral relations steadily growing stronger, which includes the annual summit meeting held alternately in both countries, and the successful conclusion of the India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.