March 21, 2023
2 mins read

 Kishida announces over $75 bn assistance for Indo-Pacific 

“In September this year, I will again get the opportunity to welcome PM Fumio Kishida to India for the G20 Leaders’ Summit,” Modi said…reports Asian Lite News

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday announced over USD 75 billion worth of infrastructure and security assistance for the Indo-Pacific during his visit to India.

The new development assistance, to be supplied by 2030 in conjunction with the private sector, came as Kishida outlined his own vision for a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” He credited his late predecessor Shinzo Abe with pushing the concept back in 2016.

Since then, Kishida said, the international community has seen major events that could be described as paradigm shifts, including the COVID pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This obliges “us to face the most fundamental challenge — defending peace,” the Japanese leader said.

Kishida’s two-day visit to India comes against a backdrop of not only war in Europe but also concerns about growing Chinese influence across the Indo-Pacific region. This has included major infrastructure investment under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, fueling development but also raising concerns about unsustainable debt in Global South nations such as Sri Lanka, according to Nikkei Asia.

The Japanese Prime Minister has called for advancing “quality infrastructure investment,” in line with the goals of the Group of 20, chaired by India this year. The PM has as part of the proposed aid, also offered free security assistance to the armed forces of like-minded nations.

But he also warned against unchecked “division and confrontation.”

“In the international community, a big balance of power change is occurring,” he said in his speech, which was delivered in Japanese. The idea of a free and open Indo-Pacific, he stressed, is rooted in the rule of law as well as respect for diversity, inclusiveness and openness. “In other words, we do not exclude anyone, we do not create camps.”

Kishida added, “I believe we should aim for a world where diverse nations coexist and prosper together under the rule of law without falling into the geopolitical competition.” Saying his vision required the cooperation of multiple stakeholders, he said, “Of course, India is indispensable.”

PM Modi, his Japan counterpart Kishida on Monday exchanged views on defence equipment and technology cooperation, trade, health, digital partnership and also had a fruitful discussion on importance of reliable supply chains in semiconductor and other critical technologies.

The two leaders had “excellent talks” during Kishida’s visit to New Delhi with PM Modi stating that strengthening bilateral partnership is not only important for both our countries, it also promotes peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (ANI)

ALSO READ-PM Modi holds talks Kishida

Previous Story

India slams attack on consulate in US

Next Story

PTI leader, 9 others killed in Abbottabad attack

Latest from -Top News

Bangladesh Elections on EU Radar

EU Pre-Election Team to Visit Bangladesh in September Ahead of 13th Parliamentary Polls…reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh Election Commission’s Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced on Monday that a European Union (EU) pre-election

After Pakistan, China Backing Iran Too?

China and Iran signed a 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement that covered trade, energy and security, showcasing the strategic value that Beijing places on Tehran….reports Asian Lite News Despite its long-standing claims of

US-India ties is a slow-motion catastrophe

For the first time in two decades, Trump’s actions, statements, and coercive tone have made relations with the US a combustible domestic political issue in India, writes Manoj Menon The post-globalisation uncertainty

Modi Welcomes Marcos Jr to Delhi

PM Modi Welcomes Philippines President Marcos Jr to Strengthen India-Philippines Ties…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday warmly welcomed Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr at Hyderabad House in

Is Bangladesh Turning Into a Theocratic State?

The rise of radical Islamic influence under Yunus’s watch threatens to transform Bangladesh from a secular democracy into a theocratic state….writes Anna Mahjar-Barducci Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus’s transition from economist
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Modi launches rail projects in Kerala

He then pointed out that steps will begin as part

Convert tech monopoly into mass usage: Modi at G7

The Indian Prime Minister stressed helping to remove social inequalities