Japan's Foreign Minister Embarks on India Visit Amid Indo-Pacific Tensions
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New Delhi: Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi is set to arrive in India on Thursday for a strategic dialogue with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, marking a crucial moment in the bilateral partnership. This visit comes as part of a nine-day tour of West Asia and Asia, which includes key stops in Israel, Palestine, Qatar, and the Philippines. The strategic dialogue, scheduled for Friday, will provide an opportunity for both sides to review their cooperation in the face of shifting global dynamics, particularly in the wake of the US's new foreign policy under the Biden administration. India and Japan's partnership in the Quad alliance has been subject to uncertainty due to strained ties between New Delhi and Washington. Motegi's visit is also significant as he becomes the first senior member of Japan's new government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, to engage with India. Last November, Takaichi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa. The two nations have made notable progress in their partnership, including Japan's commitment to invest $68 billion in India over a decade. A 10-year economic roadmap has been established to foster cooperation in areas such as technology, digitalization, and rare earth minerals. Japan's new government has emphasized the need for tangible results in security, defense, and economic cooperation, with a focus on emerging technologies like semiconductors and AI. As tensions in the Indo-Pacific region continue to escalate, Motegi's visit to India will be closely watched for any developments that may impact the region's dynamics.
