Tokyo intends to deepen cooperation with New Delhi: Japan's FM

India is an “indispensable” partner in achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific and Japan intends to deepen cooperation with New Delhi in all areas to expand the special strategic and global partnership between the two sides, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said in New Delhi on Friday. He  was speaking at the India-Japan Forum, convened by Ananta Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Complimenting India’s focus on the Global South, Hayashi said the call for upholding the free and rules-based international order may sound like a mere slogan unless there is adequate commitment to addressing the challenges facing the developing countries.

In his comments, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar described Japan as India’s natural partner. India and Japan will work together for the future of international order; in new technologies, strategy and culture, he said.

Spoke at the India-Japan Forum today in New Delhi. Appreciate my colleague FM Yoshi Hayashi’s thought provoking ideas and views.

Made the following 6 points:

1.For India, Japan is the modernising inspiration that is particularly relevant as the Modi Government advances… pic.twitter.com/h7ayNPRd5u

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 28, 2023

Hayashi further said that  at a time when there are many pressing challenges, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Japan and India fully share the necessity to lead the world to cooperation, rather than to division and confrontation, “It is vital that we refrain from imposing values or excluding certain countries. This concept is especially crucial for smaller countries. In coordination with India, Japan intends to materialise such a concept through realising a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ or FOIP,” he said. The Japanese foreign minister said Japan’s FOIP makes it clear that South Asia is one of the key regions.