Jaishankar, Motegi agree to cooperate in Critical Information Infrastructure, 5G, IoT, AI

New Delhi, 7-Oct-2020

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held the 13th India-Japan Foreign Ministers� Strategic Dialogue with his Japanese counterpart Motegi Toshimitsu in Tokyo on Wednesday. The two ministers highlighted the need for robust and resilient digital and cyber systems and in this context, welcomed the finalization of the text of the cyber-security agreement. The pact will effectively shut the door for Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE to sell their advanced telecom equipment in India. The agreement promotes cooperation in capacity building, research and development, security and resilience in the areas of Critical Information Infrastructure, 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), among others, stated a Ministry of External Affairs news release. Reaffirming the similarities in their respective Indo-Pacific visions, the Japanese side agreed to be the lead partner in the connectivity pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans� Initiative (IPOI) and jointly take both countries� respective visions for the Indo-Pacific forward. The two ministers also discussed convergence in several areas, which now include maritime security, trade and investment, manufacturing, skill development, connectivity and infrastructure, health and wellness, Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) and UN reforms. They emphasized that a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region must be premised on diversified and resilient supply chains; and in this context, welcomed the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative between India, Japan, Australia and other like-minded countries. The two ministers concurred that the Indo-Pacific region has acquired greater salience in recent times and underscored the need for India and Japan to work together for the benefit of the region.