The 50th anniversary of national independence as well as the recent inaugurations of new government administrations in both countries make this year the ideal timing for a visit by Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda. Both countries also have influential voices within multilateral fora. Therefore, exchanging views, for example on the United Nations Security Council, is useful. India has continued to carry out economic liberalization policies since their implementation in 1991. Pakistan has worked to resolutely implement economic reform based on measures to promote industry, which has earned them high marks from the international community.
Japan is in a position to support such economic reforms.
Foreign Minister Ikeda will announce Japan's intention to continue to provide economic cooperation in response to their economic reforms. On the other hand, Japanese private investment in India and Pakistan is still low. Japanese business circles are increasingly interested in economic reforms and it is much hoped that they will be provided with a better investment climate in the two countries. Japan applauds these efforts to relieve tensions, which will help improve the well-being of the people and drive economic growth in the area. Japan earnestly hopes that Foreign Minister Ikeda's visits will stimulate the expansion and deepening of exchanges between Japan and the South Asian region on both the governmental and personal levels.