THE SASAKAWA PEACE FOUNDATION

Promoting India-Japan Ties through the Exchange of Leaders

13,500,000yen (Self-operated /Commissioned/ Grant Project)
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII, India)

Although some key Japanese government leaders have visited India, and Japanese diplomatic activities toward India were activated in 2005, bilateral relations between the two countries have been suffering due to a lack of mutual understanding and the neglect of common problems between the two countries. The project aims to strengthen mutual understanding and build confidence between the two countries by inviting Indian young leaders, including congressmen, to an exchange with Japanese Diet members. The project will also provide opportunities for exchange with Japanese economical and financial leaders to build a close partnership between the two countries.

This year's activities will be as follows.

Selection of young Indian leaders for exchange and the formation of a young leaders' network (Self-operated/commission)
Dr. Aftab Seth, Director of the Global Security Research Institute will be commissioned as a project advisor to conduct the following activities.

(1) Selection of young Indian leaders (20 days in June and December, 2006, India). Candidates for invitation will be selected by exchanging information with CII and members of relevant organizations, political and financial leaders, and current Indian parliamentarians.
(2) Formation of an Indian leader network (10 days in January, 2007)
a young Indian leader network will be formed to strengthen the activity of SPF utilizing the human relations of Dr. Aftab.

(Second year of a 3-year project)