India & Japan looking to increase its influence over Far East and the Pacific Island countries

In view of China’s growing influence in areas such as the Russian Far East and Pacific Island countries, India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on July 20 that India and Japan are looking to expand cooperation in these third countries, reports Economic Times.

Shringla, on the other hand, emphasized that India, Russia, and Japan had established a trilateral partnership in the Indo-Pacific area, which included investments and joint projects in Russia’s resource-rich the Far East.

Addressing the audience at the India-Japan forum organized by leading public policy banner Asanta Aspen India, Shringla said, “that the growing convergence between the two countries on strategic and economic issues has the potential to shape a multi-polar world that is more peaceful, secure, and sustainable.”

According to the Indian Foreign Secretary, more emphasis is required due to the changing geopolitical environment, with the focus decisively turning to the Indo-Pacific area and a deeper knowledge of the complementarities between the two countries, which has strengthened the alliance.

Shringla also emphasized that the time has come for the two parties to consider a “migration and mobility partnership agreement” to let professionals and highly skilled employees move around more easily.

Referring to coronavirus pandemic, Shringla said, “While this period may be characterized by flux and a sense of heightened insecurity, the growing convergence of India and Japan on strategic and economic issues has the potential to shape a multi-polar world that is more peaceful, secure and sustainable.”

(with inputs from Economic Times)

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