As your background is in civil engineering, I would like to ask about your experience visiting Gunma Prefecture, which included a tour of Yamba Dam. What struck you about these site visits?
I've visited Japan quite a number of times for work and as a private tourist. The visit this time has been very educational. I have also visited quite a few of the projects in hydro and thermal in India and abroad, including in China, but the hydro project that we visited in Japan, I thought that the efficiency plus the workmanship is excellent.
I also noticed that it was a multipurpose project that is not only for generating hydro power, but also for drinking water and irrigation. In addition, the site was also very educational because they allow people to look around so people will understand easily what the project is about. I thought this was very nice and something I have not seen in other hydro projects that I've visited all over the world.
What lessons will you take back with you to your state?
I think one of the things I will take back is the safety aspect, which we could see in the workmanship and planning done at the places we visited. The projects we saw are very lively and at the same time you see all the systems used and the materials are of high quality. This is something we should take back to India, the idea that the goal is not only to generate power, but also that it is important to consider the safety aspects as well as the quality in the long run. It may be costly at the beginning, but in the future, it'll be a blessing and an asset for the country.
We also visited the Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma, where we learned about how they take care of the seismic related issues to protect the facilities from earthquakes. In that aspect, I think they have spent a lot of money for renovation. Also, I think they also educated many people through that and produced many entrepreneurs. I think it is good to see that they preserve their know-how and at the same time they showcase the wisdom of Japanese scientists. I think that we should learn from this.
You’ve also had quite a full slate of meetings in Tokyo, including with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), former Prime Minister Suga, among others. Could you paint a picture of the discussions in those meetings?
Whomever we met, be it from the ministers, Japan-India associations, staff, they are all very affectionate about India. This is the same if you go back to India. Many people in India, if you talk about Japan, they'll all respond positively. I have never heard anybody in India who talked about not trusting Japan, be it in business, in politics, or any other way.
I think the positivity amongst the politicians, the businesspeople in Japan towards Northeast India and towards India in general, which I did not expect at the beginning before coming here, was much more than I envisioned. As a result, anytime we make proposals in Japan to build up the connectivity between people, businesses, institutions, and other areas, not only looking to Meghalaya or Northeast India, but looking also to Bangladesh, Bhutan, and others, people in general have been very positive.
Where would you like to see the relationship between Japan and India deepen in the future and where do you see opportunities for collaboration?
In Japan, there is a huge demand for labor, such as skilled engineers or other skilled forces, and in India we have more than enough people. In India, where our population is 1.4 billion, now the unemployment rate is almost 7%. If you think in terms of percentages, it's not much, but in terms of numbers, it is huge.
Also, working in India is a challenge when compared to Japan, and working in Northeast India also has its challenges. For example, today I asked about the salary for a driver in Japan, and I heard it is about 2,000 to 2,500 U.S. dollars per month. In India it'll be closer to 200 U.S. dollars per month.
I think that Japan needs labor and in India we have many skilled workers and educated youth. If we can train students or the youth, if we can equip them with the necessary skills, then we can help Japan in bridging this labor gap, and that also would help India in terms of unemployment.
Another topic I would like to discuss is the Act East policy. From your perspective in Northeast India and in Shillong specifically, what are your expectations for this policy and how might Japan play a role?
If you look at the overall situation, Japan is not only investing in India but also in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, and other countries in the region. So, if Japan considers its investments in other countries — for example, Japan recently supported construction of an airport in Bangladesh — with all of this infrastructure that has been built, it is important to get India involved. This means that Northeast India will also be a gateway, so you need to also involve Northeast India in these projects.
In my opinion, Japan has a vision for the future where it can utilize Southeast Asia to realize their future plan for all the investments which they have made, and I think that this will be an asset for the future of the Southeast Asia.
Looking back on your experience, what is the significance of these kinds of exchange programs bringing people to Japan, particularly as a delegation with representatives from across Northeast India?
If I go back with these memories and a positive mindset, I will be like an ambassador of Japan in India and an ambassador of Japan in Northeast India. For example, if you send students to study in Japan and they feel that Japan is a great country, they will promote the country themselves.
As politicians, as members of parliament, whenever we meet people, we also act as an ambassador. I believe this is why it is very important to connect politicians, policymakers, businesses, students, and governments.
