PM Narendra Modi Evades Question on China, Says 'Let's Think About Ourselves'

Tokyo: This morning, in Tokyo, two young students from the Sacred Heart University were able to do what journalists covering Prime Minister Modi's visit had not been allowed to do for four days - they asked him a question.

In fact, the two questions asked by a pair of students were direct and hit at the core of Japan's biggest international concerns - an expansionist China and the potential dangers of selling India civilian nuclear technology.

"Let's focus on ourselves, not others. Let us remain committed to our values, focus on development and peace. Then the situation will improve," is what the Prime Minister replied.

Yesterday, in contrast, he took a firm swipe at China while addressing Japanese industrialists, stating that foreign policy based on expansionism and maritime incursions are the signs of "18th-century" thought.

For Japan, which is in the midst of a showdown with China over the disputed Senkoku islands, New Delhi's support in countering an increasingly aggressive Beijing is strategically vital.

While Japan and India have agreed during PM Modi's visit to step up naval exercises and continue a high-level trilateral security dialogue which includes the United States, Mr Modi has not openly stated whether there will be a more substantial military engagement between New Delhi and Tokyo.

Both sides, however, continue negotiations for India's possible acquisition of the Japanese US-2 amphibious aircraft, possibly the most advanced aircraft of its type in the world.

India also needs Japanese civilian nuclear technology. Prime Ministers Modi and Shinzo Abe agreed that negotiations will be hastened, but Japan wants explicit guarantees from India, which has not signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, to limit atomic tests and allow closer inspection of its facilities to ensure that spent fuel is not used to make bombs. Japanese firms also want clarity on nuclear disaster compensation, especially after the 2011 Fukushima catastrophe.

Answering a question from one of the students at the Scared Heart University today, Mr Modi said it was important to consider India's nuclear record beyond the narrow prism of international agreements.

According to Mr Modi, "India has a certain DNA - a social commitment above all international processes. We cannot imagine a situation where we can harm or hurt anyone."

It's clear that New Delhi and Tokyo have different take-aways from this visit of Prime Minister Modi. While New Delhi will be satisfied by Japan committing 35 billion dollars to invest in development in India over five years, Tokyo will clearly value the enhanced global strategic partnership that the two countries share.