Japan further accelerates interventions in Northeast, shows keen interest to invest in Sikkim

GANGTOK,: Satoshi Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to India, on Friday remarked that people- to-people connect can be strengthened between Japan and Sikkim through inter-parliamentary exchanges between Japanese and Indian parliamentarians, in collaboration with FICCI.

Addressing the ‘6th Dialogue with States: Connecting Japan with Sikkim’ jointly organised by FICCI Forum of Parliamentarians and the Embassy of Japan in India at Mayfair resort here, Suzuki expressed that Sikkim is located at a strategically important juncture and is full of potential, not only for domestic development, but also for the stability and prosperity of a wider region from a geopolitical perspective.

Highlighting India-Japan partnership, the ambassador mentioned that India and Japan continue to collaborate through the Act East Forum (AEF) for sustainable social and economic development of the region. “Both countries are focused on enhancing connectivity in the region. They have various initiatives like Japan-India Initiative for Sustainable Development of the North- Eastern Region of India (SDINE) and Initiative for Strengthening the Bamboo Value Chain in the North- East and cooperation in areas as agriculture and food processing, health, care and sanitation, forest management, connectivity improvement, disaster prevention and mitigation and tourism.”

Suzuki also mentioned about the 6th Act East Forum and noted that on-going ODA projects supported by Japan in this region amount to more than 230 billion Yen (about Rs. 14,200 crore).

Chief secretary S.C. Gupta noted that India and Japan share good economic, political, and social relations which are further strengthened by engagements like FICCI's dialogue with States. He informed that Sikkim and Japan can collaborate in infrastructure development, connectivity, skill development and investments can be expanded in food processing, organic agriculture, value chain development, bamboo processing.

Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Member of Parliament and chair, FICCI Forum of Parliamentarians, stated that Japan holds an important place for India both historically and culturally. He mentioned that there is immense potential between Sikkim and Japan especially in sectors like tourism, power, agriculture and infrastructure.

Dr. Jyotsna Suri, co- chair, FICCI Forum of Parliamentarians, talked about the importance of the dialogue with States initiative to connect States with India's key strategic partners.  

Chief Minister P.S. Golay graced the occasion subsequently and had a meeting with the ambassador and senior officials of JICA on areas of opportunities and any support required by the Japanese government. The discussion covered all aspects including economic cooperation, start-up ecosystem, capacity building, art and culture, tourism and people to people ties of Japan’s existing and potential connect with Sikkim.