India-Japan sign Agreement for cooperation in AI, 5G, Critical Information Infrastructure

On October 7, 2020, India and Japan signed agreements of cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, 5G technology. The countries also agreed to give momentum to the supply chain initiative in the Indo-Pacific region.

Highlights

The agreements were signed between the External Affairs Minister Shri S Jaishankar and his Japanese Counter part Motegi. The agreement was signed by the ministers during the 13^th India-Japan Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue.

The external affairs minister is on his two day visit to Japan to attend the Quadrilateral Foreign Ministers meet. The meeting attended by the foreign ministers from US, Japan, India and Australia emphasised on free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

India and Japan also welcomed the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative.

Outcomes

The ministers welcomed the finalisation of the Cybersecurity Agreement. The agreement promotes research and development, capacity building, security and resilience in the areas of 5G, Critical Information Infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things.

The agreement between India and Japan comes amidst growing reluctance by countries all over the world in allowing Huawei to roll out 5G services in their territories.

Japan during the meet had agreed to be the lead partner of India in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. It is an India-backed framework that aims to create safe and secure maritime domain in the Indo-Pacific region. China has been expanding its influence in the region lately. The initiative indirectly counters China’s intensions in the region. It was proposed by PM Modi at the East Asia Summit in Bangkok in 2019.

Japan also agreed to provide 50 billion yen of emergency assistance loan to India. Also, it agreed to provide 1 billion yen grant aid for provisions of medical equipment.

Supply Chain Resilience Initiative

It mainly focuses on attracting foreign direct investment to turn Indo-Pacific into an economic powerhouse. This is to be achieved by strengthening supply chains in the region through mutual cooperation. India, Japan and Australia are a part of the initiative.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2020