Abe’s resignation unlikely to hit Indo-Japan summit | Economic Times

NEW DELHI: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s sudden resignation is unlikely to affect the Indo-Japan annual summit proposed to be held next month, people aware of the matter told ET.Abe on Friday said he was resigning because of health reasons.The proposed summit, to be held through video link, is significant for India as it is being held in the backdrop of the border standoff and China’s aggression in parts of the Indo-Pacific region.The summit was first rescheduled for April due to the anti-CAA protests in Guwahati last December, but had to be put off again because of the pandemic.Abe and his cabinet would continue to run the government until a new premier is elected, but cannot adopt new policies. There is no word yet on the annual summit being rescheduled again, and the meet may be held as scheduled, sources told ET.The resignation is expected to trigger a leadership race in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The new leader, who must be formally elected in parliament, will hold the post for the rest of Abe’s term.Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to wish Abe a speedy recovery. “Pained to hear about your ill health, my dear friend @AbeShinzo. In recent years, with your wise leadership and personal commitment, the India-Japan partnership has become deeper and stronger than ever before. I wish and pray for your speedy recovery,” his post said.The big-ticket item from the proposed summit is the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) which will give the Indian Navy access to the Japanese military base in Djibouti and the Japanese Navy access to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.The Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JSDF) would be permitted to use India’s military installations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, ET has reliably gathered. India has such pacts with the US, Australia and France and is likely to sign one with Russia later this year. Widening the scope of the Indo-Pacific partnership, including third-country projects, is also on the cards. Japan has decided to increase its investment in two of India’s key neighbours –– Bangladesh and Myanmar. Increase in Japanese FDI into India, including Japanese companies planning to shift to India from China, and incentives for these businesses are expected to be discussed at the summit, sources said.77815289