External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar visited Tokyo, Japan for a two-day visit from October 6-7, 2020.
Second QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) Ministerial Meeting:
On October 6, 2020, EAM S. Jaishankar participated in the Second QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) held between India, Australia, Japan & United States of America (USA) in Tokyo, Japan.
Participants: EAM of India S.Jaishankar , US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Japan’s Toshimitsu Motegi.
Note – The first meeting of Foreign Ministers of Four Countries under the QUAD framework took place in New York in September, 2019.
Highlights:
Post-COVID-19
i.The Foreign Ministers (FM) discussed the post COVID-19 International order.
ii.The Ministers called for coordinated response to face challenges arising due to pandemic such as Financial Problems, sharing best practices to combat COVID-19, increasing access to affordable vaccines, medicines and medical equipment.
Key points of QUAD Meeting:
i.The Ministers also supported the vision of maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
ii.They exchanged views about issues related to connectivity, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and regional issues of mutual interest.
iii.The discussions were held regarding maritime safety and security, health security, and counter terrorism.
iv.The Members of the QUAD Framework reaffirmed their support to ASEAN (Association of SouthEast Asian Nations).
v.The sides agreed to enhance coordination to counter the growing assertiveness of China.
“East-West” connectivity:
i.The Ministers discussed the building of “East-West” connectivity from India to ASEAN countries.
ii.It is being built to counter the “North-South” connectivity of China.
Bilateral Meetings:
EAM S. Jaishankar held one-to-one bilateral talks with the Foreign Ministers of Japan, Australia & USA during his visit to Tokyo.
13th India-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue:
On 7th October, 2020, EAM Jaishankar and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held the 13th India-Japan Foreign Minister’s Strategic Dialogue in Tokyo, Japan.
i.They reviewed the progress made in Strategic and Global Partnerships, maritime security, trade and investment, manufacturing, skill development, health and wellness, Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) and UN Reforms.
ii.They emphasized a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region for diverse, and strong supply chains.
India and Japan finalized the Cybersecurity Agreement:
i.The Two sides welcomed the finalization of the Text of Cybersecurity agreement.
ii.The Agreement promotes cooperation in capacity building, research and development and security.
iii.It provides for sharing strategies and best practices to promote the integrity of supply chain of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products.
iv.It also promotes resilience in areas of Critical Information Infrastructure, 5G, Internet of Things (IoT) & Artificial Intelligence (AI).
EAM Jaishankar holds talk with Australian FM Maris Payne:
On October 7, 2020 EAM Jaishankar held bilateral talks with Australian Foreign Minister Maris Payne in Tokyo, Japan.
i.Both Ministers discussed key regional security challenges.
ii.The two countries agreed to work together in Indo-Pacific region, which is seeing increasing military assertiveness by China.
iii.They reviewed the progress made in bilateral ties after the virtual summit between Prime Ministers of two countries in June, 2020.
Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA):
i.During the virtual summit in June, 2020, India and Australia elevated the ties to comprehensive strategic partnership and signed the landmark Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA).
ii.MLSA allows armed forces of both countries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.
EAM Jaishankar holds talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo:
EAM Jaishankar held talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on October 7, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan.
i.The talks were focused on important bilateral and regional issues.
ii.The two sides agreed to work together to advance peace and security in Indo-Pacific region.
iii.They also discussed the overall ties regarding the security scenario around India.
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD):
i.QUAD is an informal strategic forum between the United States, Japan, Australia and India.
ii.The idea of QUAD was given by Former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007.
About Japan:
Prime Minister – Yoshihide Suga
Capital – Tokyo
Currency – Japanese Yen
