Japan aids India in its Act East policy

In a sign of growing Japanese involvement in improving infrastructure in India, the two countries Thursday launched a cooperation forum for development of India’s north-east. The move is significant also because of India’s decision to ignore China’s OBOR initiative as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a showpiece project of OBOR, impinges on India’s sovereignty, passing as it does through the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region.

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The India-Japan Cooperation Forum for Development of North East was officially inaugurated by the Japanese embassy and ministry of development of north-eastern region. According to Japan, the development of north-east is a priority for India and a key to promoting its Act East Policy.

“Japan has also placed a special emphasis on cooperation in North East for its geographical importance connecting India to south-east Asia and historical ties,” said the Japanese embassy in a statement ahead of the inauguration of the forum.

Japan has worked on a variety of development projects in the north-east, ranging from connectivity infrastructure such as roads and electricity, water supply and sewage, to forest resource management and biodiversity. Furthermore, as the embassy said, there is a great potential for people-to-people and cultural exchanges between Japan and the north-east with Japan’s historical connection with the region.

“Against this background, Japan and India launch the Coordination Forum in order to explore and expand cooperation in the North Eastern Region, and to strengthen the relationship between Japan and North East as well as that between Japan and India,” said the statement.

Japan has been working in India’s north-east for a while but it is also looking to partner India in infrastructure projects in India’s neighbourhood. The two countries are working together for development of infrastructure and connectivity for the Chabahar port in Iran.

Original source: Times of India. 
Posted on 4 August 2017.