Japan keen to support energy network among SAARC countries

Pledging its strong support to help India become a global "base" of economic growth, Japan today proposed construction of an energy network within the SAARC countries to boost untapped trade and investment opportunities in the region.
Calling his country's relationship with India as a "special one", Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said the ties between the two nations can make the Indo-Pacific region an epicentre of global prosperity and took a subtle dig at China on the South China Sea dispute.
In an address at the Indian Council of World Affairs, Kishida said having "open and stable seas" was key to economic prosperity in the region and recalled Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's proposal of "three principles of the rule of law at sea" including not using "force or coercion" in trying to drive claims.

Later, asked about Japan's indication that it may not be involved in infrastructure projects in Arunachal and whether it was due to China's position over the state, he said though his government wants to improve connectivity in the North East, there was no plan to provide any aid to the state.
"You specifically pointed out the state Arunachal Pradesh in North Eastern India which is a territory of India which is pending in terms of its dispute with China and for the moment to my understanding there are currently no plans of Japan to provide aid to this state," he said in reply to a question.

He said Japan was prepared to provide "robust" contribution and cooperation to enhance connectivity in the region and link it with neighbouring SAARC and ASEAN countries.

In his address, he said Japan will contribute to the 'Make in India' initiative so as to support India in becoming a base of economic growth for the Indo-Pacific region and ultimately for the world.
Noting that connectivity between South Asia and South-East Asia through both sea and land routes was key to realising vast economic potential of the region, he said "Japan intends to support the construction of an energy network within the SAARC region".

He said the 'Japan-India Investment Promotion Partnership' agreed to at the summit meeting during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tokyo in September last year seeks synergies between "Abenomics and Modinomics".