India, Japan partnership holds immense potential to de-risk global economy: Jaishankar
New Delhi (PTI): India and Japan on Friday agreed to ramp up cooperation in areas of trade, critical minerals, defence and high technologies with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar saying that the partnership between the two sides holds immense potential to de-risk the global economy.
A meeting between Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi saw both sides agreeing to set up a joint working group on critical minerals and a dialogue mechanism on artificial intelligence.
The Japanese foreign minister met Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his talks with Jaishankar.
"Our special strategic and global partnership is on an upward trajectory and holds immense potential for shaping the world order and de-risking the international economy," Jaishankar said on social media after the 18th India-Japan strategic dialogue.
He said the discussions on boosting cooperation in areas of economy supply chain, critical minerals, technology and people-to-people connections were reflective of "shared interests" between the two sides.
"Also had a useful exchange of perspectives on Indo-Pacific and regional and global developments," he said.
Toshihiro Kitamura, a spokesperson at the Japan foreign ministry said Jaishankar and Motegi deliberated extensively on various global issues to align their views and discussed the importance of Quad.
Kitamura said extensive deliberations were held on ensuring economic security in view of the current geopolitical developments, adding the two sides agreed to set up a joint working group on critical minerals.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Jaishankar and Motegi underlined the importance of further strengthening the India-Japan special strategic and global partnership.
The two ministers launched the AI dialogue to give a fresh push to bilateral cooperation in this sector.
Both sides also decided to convene a joint working group on critical minerals under the economic security initiative to advance our collaboration in rare earths and other critical minerals, he said.
In his televised opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar said India's vision for the Indo-Pacific aligns closely with Japan's outlook for a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific'.
"We are leading democracies, we are the major economies of the world, and we have today not just an opportunity, but also an obligation, a duty to shape the global order," he said.
"And in the current uncertain global situation, it's even more important that we work closely towards shared strategic goals," he added.
Jaishankar noted that economic security has become very important in the current global context.
"I think both our countries attach enormous importance to it, and how to de-risk our own economies, and how to de-risk the international economy are both very important." "So, we will be discussing resilient supply chains, critical minerals, how to address energy, health, and maritime security in our talks today," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Udupi gears up for 'Paryaya Mahotsava' as Shiroor Matha takes over Sri Krishna Temple
Udupi (Karnataka) (PTI): The coastal temple town of Udupi will witness the biennial 'Paryaya Mahotsava' in the early hours of January 18, marking the ceremonial transfer of ritual and administrative control of the Sri Krishna Temple to Shiroor Matha.
Sri Vedavardhana Tirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Matha will assume charge as the pontiff-administrator of the temple for the 2026-28 term, authorities said.
Several religious heads and prominent leaders, including Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, are expected to attend.
Over two lakh devotees are expected, with annadana arranged for about 40,000 people on the night of January 17 and 50,000 the following day.
ALSO READ: ₹70,000 car, ₹1.11 lakh fine: Bengaluru student penalised for illegal modifications
The 'Paryaya' system is a rotational arrangement under which the temple is managed by the eight Ashta Mathas—Pejavara, Puttige, Adamaru, Krishnapura, Shiroor, Sodhe, Kaniyoor and Palimaru—each taking charge for two years.
The system was instituted by 13th-century philosopher-saint Sri Madhwacharya, founder of the Dvaita school of philosophy.
The 'mahotsava' will begin with the incoming pontiff taking a ritual holy dip at Dandatirtha near Kapu at 1.15 am, followed by a grand procession from Jodukatte at 2 am.
The procession, marked by chanting, traditional music and folk performances, will pass through Car Street before dawn.
Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna said elaborate arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the event.
The 'Paryaya Mahotsava' symbolises the continuity of Madhwacharya’s model of collective religious governance, which has shaped Udupi as a major centre of Vaishnavite worship, learning and community life for over centuries.
