National
India, Japan discuss amphibious aircraft deal, maritime security
Gandhinagar, Sep 14 (IANS) India and Japan discussed a deal to buy Japanese ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious aircraft, but no final decision was arrived at during the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe here.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Doklam standoff between India and China is also expected to have figured in the talks, though it was not mentioned in the joint statement.
India has been in talks for the purchase of 12 amphibious aircraft, in a $1.30 billion deal, for the Indian Navy. Later 18 more aircraft are to be bought under the Make in India initiative.
“There is an ongoing issue on the US-2 amphibian aircraft. Those discussions continue,” Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said at a media briefing after the Modi-Abe annual summit talks.
Discussions on the deal for the amphibious aircraft had also figured during former Defence Minister Arun Jaitley’s visit to Japan earlier this month for a bilateral dialogue on defence. The deal is said to be stuck on the issue of price, even after ShinMaywa company reduced the price to around $113 million per aircraft. The earlier price was $.1.65 billion for 12 aircraft.
“Japan’s readiness to provide its state-of-the-art US-2 amphibian aircraft was appreciated as symbolising the high degree of trust between the two countries. The two governments decided to continue their discussion in this regard,” said the joint statement.
Jaishankar added that the two sides are also looking at technology cooperation in the field of defence.
“We were really looking in terms of technology cooperation and equipment collaboration both in defence and dual use technology,” he said.
The two sides “commended” the “significant progress” achieved in maritime security cooperation, which the joint statement said was evidenced by the expansion in the scale and complexity of the Malabar exercise between India, US and Japan in the Bay of Bengal.
Growing cooperation between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force in different areas, including anti-submarine aspects was discussed.
“They also acknowledged the importance of bilateral cooperation in maritime security by strengthening and enhancing exchanges in expanding maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region,” the joint statement said.
Asked why the South China Sea was not mentioned, Jaishankar said it is a part of the Indo-Pacific region.
“In terms of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea when you are referring to Indo-Pacific, the South China Sea is a part of the Indo-Pacific. When you are referring to a full set, sub-sets are covered,” Jaishankar said.
“Freedom of navigation and support for unimpeded commerce is not a matter on which we have a position in reference to a particular geography. It is a principle position which applies everywhere,” he said.
Expansion of joint exercises and cooperation in areas like humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations, and counter terrorism were discussed, and a joint exercise between the Indian Army and Japan Ground Self-Defence Force may be held in 2018.
–IANS
ao/rn
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
