Professor C. Raj Kumar And Dr. Shashi Tharoor Address Japan's National Diet as JGU Deepens India–Japan Academic Ties

Law School Correspondent

2 July 2026 12:04 PM IST

  • Professor C. Raj Kumar And Dr. Shashi Tharoor Address Japans National Diet as JGU Deepens India–Japan Academic Ties
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    Professor C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), and Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, addressed a bipartisan gathering of Members of the National Diet of Japan at the National Diet Building in Tokyo. The interaction was chaired by Mr. Fukushiro Nukaga, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan.

    The interaction coincided with the official visit of the Prime Minister of Japan to India and the India–Japan Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the press release, the discussions centred on advancing the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership through research, innovation, academic collaboration, parliamentary dialogue and people-to-people engagement.

    JGU has academic partnerships with 27 Japanese universities, while nearly 200 JGU students are currently participating in short-term study abroad programmes across Japan. The press release states that these initiatives reflect the University's commitment to educational collaboration, academic mobility and institutional cooperation between the two countries.


    During his address, Professor Raj Kumar said universities have become global platforms for innovation, research and international cooperation. He observed that India and Japan have an opportunity to deepen their relationship through investments in higher education, scientific collaboration, entrepreneurship, academic mobility and knowledge partnerships. He also called for closer cooperation among universities, governments, industry and academia to address common challenges and strengthen bilateral ties.

    Professor Raj Kumar further stated that higher education has emerged as a defining pillar of India–Japan relations by fostering trust, mutual understanding, leadership and long-term institutional partnerships. Concluding his address, he said the twenty-first century should transform the trust between India and Japan into a comprehensive partnership driven by knowledge, technology, sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship and shared democratic values.

    Dr. Shashi Tharoor, in his address, emphasised the importance of parliamentary diplomacy. He said diplomacy is not merely about negotiating interests or responding to crises but also about preserving memory, reflecting mutual respect and inspiring nations to build a better future together. Referring to the historical relationship between India and Japan, he said the friendship between the two countries has been nurtured through Buddhism, cultural exchange, democratic values and civilisational respect.


    Dr. Tharoor further stated that while governments create strategic partnerships, it is people—including students, scholars, parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, artists, innovators, scientists and citizens—who sustain them. He said these enduring human connections transform strategic cooperation into lasting partnerships.

    Members of the National Diet reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening parliamentary exchanges, educational partnerships, academic collaboration, scientific research, innovation and people-to-people ties between India and Japan. The discussions reflected a shared conviction that the future of India–Japan relations will be shaped not only by diplomacy, economics and security cooperation, but also by democratic institutions, universities, research collaborations, cultural understanding and opportunities for young people to learn from one another.

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