On Friday, Jaideep Mazumdar, the Secretary (East) of Bharat’s Ministry of External Affairs, engaged in discussions with Japanese envoy Hayashi Makoto during the East Asia Summit (EAS) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum (ARF) Senior Officials’ Meetings in Vientiane.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the larger summit, aimed to strengthen and boost cooperation between Bharat and Japan.
In a statement shared by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, it was revealed that Mazumdar and Makoto deliberated on matters of bilateral and regional cooperation. This exchange underscores the ongoing efforts to deepen ties between Bharat and Japan within the ASEAN framework.
Secy (East) @JaideepMazumder met Amb Hayashi Makoto, Japan's SOM leader and Ambassador in charge of Cooperation with ASEAN, on the sidelines of the EAS/ARF SOM meetings in Vientiane.
They discussed matters of cooperation between India and Japan under bilateral and regional… pic.twitter.com/YR4sqQZAXG
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 7, 2024
Earlier in the day, Mazumdar also met with Ambassador Kung Phoak, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, who is also a Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) leader. Discussions between them centered on enhancing relations between India and Cambodia, particularly within the ASEAN context.
The leaders explored various avenues to bolster bilateral relations and enhance collaboration under the ASEAN framework. This signifies a concerted effort to leverage the ASEAN platform for mutual benefit and regional stability.
ASEAN, comprising 10 states in Southeast Asia, serves as a vital political and economic union in the region. Bharat and Japan, sharing a ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’, have a longstanding friendship rooted in cultural and civilizational ties.
Shedding light on the significance of the Indo-Pacific region, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Bharat in March 2023 and held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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During his visit, PM Kishida delivered a policy speech titled “The Future of the Indo-Pacific–Japan’s New Plan for a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ — ‘Together with Bharat, as an Indispensable Partner’ at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA). This underscores the commitment of both countries to fostering peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
The recent meetings between Bharatiya and Japanese officials reaffirm their commitment to deepening cooperation and addressing shared challenges in the region. As both nations continue to strengthen their ties, their partnership is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific.
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