India and Japan are considering cooperating on projects in Bangladesh and Myanmar as part of their efforts to work together in third countries, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday.
The East India-Japan Law Forum, which focuses on specific projects to modernize the Northeast region of India, is also of increased importance for connectivity with Bangladesh and Myanmar, Jaishankar said during a virtual event to mark the publication of a report on the theme “India-Japan: Time to seize opportunities”.
The recent signing of the Acquisition and Cross Services Agreement (ACSA), which covers the reciprocal provision of supplies and services by the defense forces of India and Japan, will enhance stability and security across Asia, he said.
The minister’s remarks loom large in the context of efforts by various countries, including India, Australia and Japan, to forge new partnerships with Indo-Pacific countries in the face of China’s increasing aggressive and assertive activities.
India and Japan, Jaishankar noted, had moved from discussions to practically working together in third countries. “We have done a bit of that in Sri Lanka and I think today we are trying to see if we can cooperate and coordinate more closely in Bangladesh and Myanmar,” he said.
While he noted that India and Japan were already working closely together within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the East Asia Summit and the Quadrilateral Dialogue, he suggested that they could also cooperate in Russia’s Far East and Pacific island countries.
Jaishankar described ACSA, which was signed last week, as “a very practical manifestation of our ability and intention to work together.” He added: “I am very sure that both would be a great advantage for the evolution of the Indo-Pacific vision of both countries. [and add] to the stability and security of Asia. ”
Both countries are trying to shape the Indo-Pacific narrative to reflect the rebalancing of the world and Asia, and bilateral defense and security cooperation has “progressed remarkably fast,” he noted, adding that Japan is the only country with which India has a 2 + 2 summit and dialogue between Defense and Foreign Ministers.
The Covid-19 pandemic has expanded national security to include health security alongside economic and supply chain security, as well as the concept of strategic autonomy in terms of supply chains, and this could be a new area of cooperation. with Japan, he suggested.
Responding to a question at the event hosted by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (FICCI), Jaishankar said, without naming China, that it is important that all players work together to ensure Asia’s rise.
“If we are going to give Asia a more prominent place in world politics, then it is important that all the nations of Asia, especially the big and important nations, … get along because if they spend their energies not in a positive way in a way, but they are opposed to each other, they will not promote the interests of Asia, “he said.
Toshihide Ando, the deputy head of the Japanese mission, said at the event that Japan is a strong partner for the “Make in India” and “Make for the world” initiatives. He added: “India will be strengthened by playing a critical role in global supply chains through improved trade and investment.”
Japanese companies are eager to play a bigger role in India’s new quest to be the center of global supply chains, and the number of Japanese companies operating in India rose to 1,454 last year, he noted.
However, Ando also listed the challenges facing Japanese companies in India, including complicated legal and tax systems, late payments, difficult labor issues, inadequate infrastructure, and issues related to compliance with contracts.
“In an increasingly uncertain world, Japan and India can provide a guarantee of peace, stability and prosperity by working with other like-minded countries,” Ando said.
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