Tokyo [Japan], September 13 (ANI): Indian Ambassador to Japan Sibi George has concluded his tenure in Japan, forsaking what each side have described as a interval of exceptional achievements in strengthening India-Japan relations.
Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Takeshi Iwaya praised his efforts, calling him ‘a robust bridge between the 2 nations.’
Reflecting on his time in Tokyo since his arrival in November 2022 through the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador George stated, ‘I had the privilege of visiting all 47 prefectures of Japan, from the colourful cities to tranquil cities, from Hokkaido within the north to Okinawa within the south. During this era, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Japan twice to satisfy his Japanese counterpart, which additional strengthened our Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Prime Minister Modi has set an bold agenda for the subsequent decade, including a brand new chapter to this partnership.’
As a logo of the deep civilizational bond between India and Japan, a number of statues of Mahatma Gandhi have been put in throughout George’s tenure.
In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a Gandhi statue at Hiroshima Peace Park, adopted in 2024 by the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar unveiling one other in Edogawa. Ambassador George himself unveiled a Gandhi statue in Shimane. ‘These statues have been warmly welcomed by Japanese residents and now stand as enduring symbols of our friendship,’ he famous.
The Ambassador additionally highlighted how cultural exchanges bolstered ties: ‘In Gunma, the Daruma doll — so central to Japanese tradition–has its roots in India by Buddhism. It stays a cultural image of hope that connects our two peoples. In Nagasaki, the Peacock Park tells a singular story. Fifteen years in the past, India gifted 10 peacocks to the park; right this moment their quantity has grown to 200, reflecting our historic bond.’
Economic and people-to-people engagement additionally deepened. ‘We have seen 10 trillion yen in investments, 500,000 exchanges between our peoples, and 50,000 Indian professionals contributing to Japan’s progress,’ George said.
His efforts to strengthen regional partnerships introduced 16 Japanese governors to satisfy Prime Minister Modi, highlighting agency ties between Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi, in addition to Gujarat and Shizuoka.
His dynamic diplomacy and deep engagement have earned him immense respect throughout Japan’s political and enterprise landscape–many even fondly seek advice from him because the ‘Nozomi Ambassador’, symbolising the pace and effectiveness of his efforts, akin to Japan’s quickest Shinkansen.
Looking forward, the Ambassador emphasised the significance of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). ‘QUAD is a crucial discussion board, rooted within the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. It concretises cooperation, prosperity, and stability not just for India and Japan however for your complete Indo-Pacific area.’
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya echoed this sentiment, saying, ‘The joint assertion of our leaders in August has charted the best way ahead. As India prepares to host the QUAD assembly this 12 months and Australia in 2026, our cooperation will stay steady and robust.’
Ambassador Sibi George’s tenure has thus been broadly recognised as a transformative section in India-Japan relations — constructing cultural, strategic, and financial bridges that can information the partnership for years to return. (ANI)