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Indo-Pacific, defence cooperation high on Modi-Abe agenda: Envoy

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New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and in the defence and security sector will be high on the agenda when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe will hold their annual bilateral summit this month, Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu said on Friday.

Modi will be visiting Japan on October 28-29 in what will be his third visit for the annual bilateral summit.

India is the only country with which Japan holds an annual bilateral summit while India holds a similar summit with Russia too.

Speaking at a briefing organised by the think-tank Brookings India here, Hiramatsu referred to Modi’s statement that Japan is the cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy.

He recalled the joint statement issued following last year’s annual bilateral summit in India which called for a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

“I am sure in the (upcoming) meeting, the two leaders will discuss the region in more concrete terms,” Hiramatsu said.

Last year, a quad comprising India, Japan, the US and Australia was revived that seeks to work for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The quad had a second meeting in June this year and the process is steadily growing,” the Ambassador said.

He also said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) regional bloc has to play a central role in the Indo-Pacific region, a view that India also holds.

Regarding cooperation in the defence and security sector, Hiramatsu said that India and Japan, along with the US, regularly hold the Malabar naval exercise.

“From November 1 to 14, the ground-based defence forces of Japan and the Indian Army will hold a joint exercise in Mizoram that will also include counter-terrorism exercise,” he said.

He also that the air defence forces of Japan and the Indian Air Force too will also hold a join exercise soon.

Stating that India has shown interest in Japanese submarines, he said that talks are going on for this though there has been no outcome as yet.

“We are also discussing a Japanese high tech amphibian aircraft also and I hope there will be progress made in this regard (during the summit),” Hiramatsu said.

He also indicated that a mutual logistics support agreement might be signed following the summit.

On the strong trade and investment relationship between the two countries, he said that Japan is the largest investor in the infrastructure sector in India.

“We will continue with our Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) programme in India,” Hiramatsu said.

“Last year, the highest financial aid was provided under the ODA.”

Stating that Japan is working on key connectivity projects in northeastern India, the Ambassador said that work is on on national highways in the states of Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.

“Another road is being developed connecting the Assam-Bhutan border with the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border,” he stated.

He also said that India offers a lot of business opportunities to Japanese companies.

“Prime Minister Abe says a strong India is in Japan’s best interest,” Hiramatsu said.

Regarding the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), he said that Indian is an important partner for Japan during the discussions going on for this.

RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement between the 10 Asean member states and the six states with which this regional bloc has existing free trade agreements – Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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