Tags:
Journalism of Courage
For all the strategic overtones of PM Manmohan Singhs visit to Japan,the one feature that stood out was his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abes deep personal admiration for Singh,so much so that Abe said he wants to emulate him.
You think,do you not,that history,not newspaper headlines is the only judge for the steps you have taken. I think I must do as you have done,in your hallmark calmness, Abe said at the banquet dinner Wednesday. I think I have learnt from you more than I am aware myself.
Going out of the way to put a personal stamp on the visit,Abe described Singh as the senior most,sometimes a mentor-like leader who he can still call a dear friend.
Tonohiko Taniguchi,councillor in the Japanese PMs cabinet secretariat,disclosed that Abes affinity for India started with his grandfather and former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi,who visited Delhi in 1957. Nobusuke Kishi would make Abe sit on his lap and tell him the story of how PM Nehru took him before a crowd of 100,000 Indians and introduced him as the friend who had come from the Land of the Rising Sun, Taniguchi said.
And in the case of Singh,he said: You can make out Abe really likes him.
Though Japan may not be in a position to take any decisive steps on strategic issues with India just yet,it emitted the right signals through effusive words and symbolic gestures.
The emperor and the empress,for instance,hosted a lunch for the PM and his wife Wednesday a gesture,Taniguchi said,that is never part of regular protocol. I cannot remember the last time when such a courtesy was extended to a Prime Minister. Usually,the emperor and empress only host heads of state. Our people in the foreign office were also surprised and said something must be happening here, added Taniguchi.
The emperor and empress will be in India in November-December,a rare visit abroad.
Even Abes private dinner for Singh Tuesday is,Japanese officials said,a departure from protocol,highlighting Abes personal emphasis on the visit.
