The External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at India-Japan trade part, in an interactive session at the India-Japan forum, Delhi, stated that the India-Japan never had issues but it does not confirm to be in harmony forever. He said, “The India-Japan partnership contributes to a free and open Indo-Pacific.” He also discussed how to make it strengthen with Japan.
The minister emphasized India has been keen on issuing passports to its citizens which have deliberately risen in the past few years, being valid for 10 years. Still, comparatively, in Southeast Asia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Gulf, and Europe, the people are not drawn toward Japan.
On the contrary, as far as China is concerned, excessive dependence on China, in regards to its supply chain could be detrimental for India. A balance has to be established between two nations. This has resulted a lot of market access issues in China.” The trade equation between two countries has turned sour, due to border clash since 2020. From time to time, China has shown resentment and there is need to be a demarcation seeking to Line of Actual Control LAC.
Mr. Jaishankar stated that in order to build cordial relations we need to de-escalate because what we have done is disengage forces from close proximity. Now, there is need to sit down and discuss with China how we rebuild our relationship and that is an exercise that still has to be undertaken.
