Finance
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar highlighted the expanding Indo-Japan relations on Wednesday, stating that the two countries’ collaboration helps to improve strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Addressing the 8th India-Japan Indo-Pacific Forum, he said, “Our partnership that has deepened so much in the last few decades, has greater value than ever before. It serves to enhance strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific and contribute to economic one at a global level. Maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific is a stronger imperative, but also a more complex challenge. Our bilateral relationship responds to the changing global scenario, and that is reflected in the deepening of cooperation across multiple domains.”
The Japan Institute of International Affairs, Delhi Policy Group, and think tanks were commended by the EAM for organizing the discussion.
He emphasized that the recent discussion between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese colleague Sanae Takaichi following her assumption of office shows how important their alliance is to both nations.
“The visit of Prime Minister Modi to Japan in August significantly laid out the joint vision for the next decade. Its eight priority pillars, and the investment target of 10 trillion yen over the next 10 years, are useful metrics to assess our ambition. The Joint Declaration on security cooperation is also noteworthy in raising the level of our aspirations in defence and security,” the EAM stressed.
“Looking ahead, the India-Japan partnership must focus on leveraging our strengths, bolstering our supply chains and investing in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, clean energy and space. Friends, as two major democracies and maritime nations, India and Japan have a larger responsibility towards the Indo-Pacific. The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, where Japan co-leads the maritime trade, transport and connectivity pillar, has the potential to advance our contributions,” he added.
The EAM added that during his discussion with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi at the recent East Asia Summit in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, both parties decided that holding a more thorough review soon would be in their best interests in order to advance the alliance.
Stressing on India-Japan partnership, S. Jaishankar said, “Let me emphasise that they (both nations) have always benefited from inputs and insights provided by think tanks. I wish you all a very productive discussion, and I very much look forward to receiving your ideas.”
Source: IANS
