NEW DELHI: The India-Japan Foreign Ministers’ 13th Strategic Dialogue on Wednesday saw the two sides finalize the text of a cybersecurity agreement promoting cooperation on 5G, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence ( IA) in addition to security and resilience. in the areas of Critical Information Infrastructure.
While the details of the 5G technology cooperation are still unclear, the deal remains significant amid the international backlash against major Chinese telecoms company Huawei and as Japanese companies prepare to roll out 5G services ahead of the Olympics. from Tokyo.
According to an MEA statement, recognizing the increasingly important role of digital technologies, India and Japan highlighted the need for “robust and resilient” digital and cyber systems.
At the meeting, Foreign Ministers S Jaishankar and Toshimitsu Motegi also emphasized that a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region must be based on diversified and resilient supply chains. In this context, the government said in a statement, they welcomed the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative between India, Japan, Australia and other like-minded countries.
In a tweet, Jaishankar said the dialogue also featured further expansion of India-Japan collaboration in third countries with a focus on development projects.
Reaffirming the similarities in their respective views of the Indo-Pacific that are based on the rule of law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, the government said, Japan agreed to be the lead partner in the connectivity pillar of the Initiative of the Indo-Pacific Oceans (IPOI) and jointly carry out the respective visions of both countries for the Indo-Pacific.
Proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, the IPOI is said to be an Indian-backed framework aimed at making significant efforts to create a safe and secure maritime domain in the Indo-Pacific.
“The two ministers exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed that the strong and lasting partnership between the two countries will play a critical role in overcoming the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the MEA said. .
“Reaffirming mutual trust and shared values, they reviewed the progress made in the India-Japan Global and Special Strategic Partnership and discussed convergence in various areas, including maritime security, trade and investment, manufacturing, skills development, connectivity. and infrastructure, health and wellness. , IPOI and UN Reforms ”, he added.
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