In the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extolled the narrative of India’s ascendant trajectory on Thursday. During his three-day sojourn from March 6-8 in Japan, he engaged in the inaugural Raisina Roundtable in Tokyo.
Articulating his thoughts at the event, the EAM emphasized the imperative for Japan to cognize the rapid metamorphosis transpiring in India. He delineated India’s daily construction of 28 kilometers of highways, annual inception of eight new airports, and the establishment of one and a half to two metros each year. Moreover, he highlighted the creation of two new colleges daily over the past decade.
Underscoring India’s flourishing growth, Jaishankar elucidated, “This transformation renders us a more efficacious and credible collaborator. Whether it be facilitating business, enhancing quality of life, digital delivery, fostering startup and innovation culture, or shaping the international agenda, India now stands as a markedly distinct nation.” He expounded on India’s pursuits of major corridors both to its east and west.
These corridors encompass the IMAC (India Middle East-Europe Corridor) initiative traversing the Arabian Peninsula and the international north-south transport corridor. Looking eastward, he mentioned the trilateral highway, envisioning these completed corridors as vital links connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific through Asia. India and Japan share convergent perspectives on the necessity for transparent and collaborative connectivity, as stated at the Raisina Roundtable organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in Tokyo.
Jaishankar delved into the Global South, emphasizing India’s conscientiousness about its responsibilities. “As the voice of the global south, India is mindful of its responsibility. Our development endeavors now extend across 78 nations on various continents. Can India and Japan synchronize their developmental systems? Maritime safety and security have become particularly imperative concerns,” he affirmed.
Discussing regional challenges, Jaishankar touched upon the incidents at the Red Sea and the necessity to fortify defense capabilities for the broader region. Notably, the Houthis have targeted commercial and military shipping in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade routes since November. Initially directed at Israel-linked ships, their scope later expanded to include vessels associated with the United Kingdom and the US.
During his visit to Japan from March 6-8, Jaishankar engaged in the 16th India-Japan Foreign Minister’s Strategic Dialogue with Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa. Anticipated topics included bilateral, regional, and global issues, along with exchanging perspectives on fostering a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, as outlined by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar underscored the importance of maintaining an overall balance in favor of freedom, openness, and a rules-based order. “Powers central to multipolarity in Asia necessitate a collective interest in sustaining an equilibrium that supports freedom, openness, transparency, and a rules-based order,” he asserted.
The EAM concluded by highlighting the significance of mutual support in shared goals amid evolving global dynamics. “This session delves into how India and Japan, bound by a special strategic and global partnership, intend to confront the challenges facing the global order. There are multifaceted aspects to this subject,” Jaishankar articulated.