New Delhi – It is reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi may not attend the meeting of foreign ministers of the G20 countries starting in India on Wednesday. Japan’s media reported that he will not attend the meeting as he has to attend the budget debate in the parliament, and it is likely that the minister of state will be sent instead. It is not clear whether the Japanese foreign minister will also attend the Quad countries meeting that starts on Friday. The Quad alliance consists of the US and Australia along with India.
At the same time, criticism is being raised that if the foreign minister does not attend the meeting on account of domestic issues, it is tantamount to insulting G20 host India. Japan’s move comes as it seeks to strengthen ties with the Narendra Modi government amid growing concerns over China’s actions and the Russia-Ukraine war. As Japan prepares to host the G-7 summit in May, diplomatic experts are of the opinion that Japan’s current action is not correct.
Narendra Modi, who went to Tokyo in September to attend the funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, held talks with current Prime Minister Fumio Kishid. Apart from its ally the US, the Kishida government has prioritized strengthening ties with other countries, including India, to deal with security threats posed by China. Quad cooperation is the main platform for that.
The Kishida government is also reportedly making arrangements to invite Australia and India to the G-7 summit in May to discuss issues including Ukraine, nuclear disarmament and climate change. But if the Japanese minister does not come to the G20 summit in India, there will be a need to reconsider things including going to Japan.
Diplomatic experts in Japan have also opined that the decision not to participate in the G20 will negatively affect Japan’s foreign policy and give the impression that Japan only values the G7. Japan’s parliament passed the budget on Tuesday and forwarded it to the upper house for discussion. The law requires all cabinet members to participate in the budget discussions held on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
English Summary: Japan’s Top Diplomat Set To Skip G-20 Meeting, Snubbing India: Report