Modi, Abe express 'strong commitment' to enhance connectivity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe today expressed "strong commitment" to work together to enhance connectivity within India, and with other countries in the Indo-Pacific region and Africa.
The two leaders also underlined the importance of all countries ensuring development and use of connectivity infrastructure in an "open, transparent and non-exclusive manner".
They said it should be based on international standards and responsible debt financing practices, while ensuring respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"The two Prime Ministers expressed their strong commitment to work together to enhance connectivity in India and with other countries in the Indo-Pacific region including Africa," said the India-Japan joint statement.

They also "reaffirmed" the importance of "quality infrastructure" which ensures alignment with local economic and development strategies, safety, resilience, social and environmental impacts, and job creation, among others, it said.
The two leaders also appreciated the efforts to explore the development of industrial corridors and industrial network for the growth of Asia and Africa, which will benefit various stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region, including Africa.

They also welcomed India-Japan cooperation on development of India's North Eastern Region (NER) as a symbol of developing synergies between India's Act East policy and Japan's Free and Open Indo Pacific Strategy.
"In this context, they noted with satisfaction the setting up of the India-Japan Act East Forum," the statement said.

They also appreciated cooperation between Japan and North Eastern Region of India, ranging from key infrastructure such as road connectivity, electricity, water supply and sewage, to social and environmental sustainability such as afforestation and community empowerment, it added.
The two prime ministers also stressed on the importance of initiatives to enhance regional connectivity and decided to further accelerate consultations to identify technologies, infrastructure and development strategies for the purpose.