Tokyo [Japan], September 15 (ANI): Indian Ambassador to Japan Sibi George has concluded his tenure in Japan, abandoning what either 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 mentioned, ‘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 formidable agenda for the following 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 had been put in throughout George’s tenure.
In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Hiroshima Peace Park. This was adopted in 2024 by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar unveiling one other Gandhi statue in Edogawa. Around the identical time, Ambassador Sibi George unveiled a statue of Bharat Ratna Dr. CV Raman in Shimane. ‘These statues had been warmly welcomed by the folks of Japan and now stand as enduring symbols of our friendship,’ he famous.
The Ambassador additionally highlighted how cultural exchanges bolstered ties: ‘In Gunma prefecture, the Daruma doll — so central to Japanese tradition–has its roots in India via 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; at present 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 development,’ George said.
His efforts to strengthen regional partnerships introduced 16 Japanese governors to satisfy Prime Minister Modi, highlighting significantly sturdy ties between Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi, in addition to Gujarat and Shizuoka.
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 the whole 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 yr and Australia in 2026, our cooperation will stay secure and powerful.’
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 come back. (ANI)