Page 4 - Indo Pacific Region

Xi hopes Fiji will continue to support China amid Indo-Pacific tensions

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka met Xi for the first time on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco on Thursday.

APEC summit: China courts Indo-Pacific leaders amid stiff US competition

Chinese President Xi Jinping, fresh off his meeting with President Joe Biden, courted Indo-Pacific leaders in a flurry of meetings on Thursday at a time of intensifying competition with the United States. Xi held individual talks with the leaders of Mexico, Peru, and Fiji, and he planned a later session with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, all on the sidelines of a summit of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation economies. In a meeting with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Xi said the two countries should strengthen economic and trade cooperation and pledged China's support for Peru as host of next year's summit of APEC leaders. In particular, Xi said, China will be willing to import more premium agricultural products from the South American country and will encourage Chinese businesses to participate in major projects in Peru. Earlier, Xi held talks with Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, praising the Mexican president for his leadership and reform efforts and pledging to bring the

Japan, UK look to boost security ties under new pact on sidelines of G7

Japanese and British foreign and defense ministers are to talk on Tuesday about deepening their military cooperation under a new security pact that allows their militaries to enter each other's turf for joint exercises. Japan and Britain have expanded their cooperation in recent years amid concern about China's growing influence. Japan, whose only treaty ally is the United States, has signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement with Australia and the UK so far, making them semi-allies. The talks in Tokyo among Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Defense Secretary Grant Shapps are the first since the RAA took effect in mid-October. They are meeting on the sidelines of the meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of Seven advanced nations on Tuesday and Wednesday that are expected to focus on the Israel-Hamas war, the Russia-Ukraine war and tension in the Indo-Pacific region. The four ministers' .

China's falling aid to Pacific islands increasingly goes to allies: Report

China's declining aid to the South Pacific is increasingly targeted toward its political allies in the region as appetite there for Chinese credit declines and competition grows with the U.S. for influence, an independent Australian think tank reported Tuesday. Chinese overall economic influence among the 14 aid-dependent island nations in the region is losing ground because of better loan deals being offered by U.S. allies, especially Australia, the Sydney-based Lowy Institute said in its annual analysis of aid to the region. Focus on the strategic competition in the South Pacific has heightened since China struck a security pact with the Solomon Islands last year that raised the prospect of a Chinese naval foothold in the region. China has increased aid to the Solomons and neighboring Kiribati since they switched diplomatic allegiances to Beijing from self-ruled Taiwan in 2019, the report said. The United States has sought to counter Chinese influence in the region with additiona

India shouldn't agree to free cross-border data flows under IPEF: GTRI

India should not agree to take binding commitments on free cross-border data flows under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), a 14-member grouping, as the move would lock its policy space, think tank GTRI said on Thursday. The IPEF was launched jointly by the US and other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region on May 23 in Tokyo. The 14 IPEF partners represent 40 per cent of global GDP and 28 per cent of global goods and services trade. The framework is structured around four pillars relating to trade, supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy (issues like tax and anti-corruption). India has joined all the pillars except the trade one. "India has not joined the IPEF trade pillar which includes taking onerous commitments on digital trade. India should never agree to binding commitments on free cross-border data flows as it will lock in the future," Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. It added that taking the commitments under the World Trade Organisation'

India flags complex web of security challenges facing Indo-Pacific

India on Tuesday called for concerted efforts by like-minded nations to realise the shared vision for a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagging concerns over the region facing a "complex web" of security challenges, including boundary disputes. His comments at the opening session of the India-hosted 13th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs' Conference (IPAC) came against the backdrop China's growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific as well as the border row in eastern Ladakh. In his remarks, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said the Indo-Pacific emerged as "pivotal theatre" in contemporary "geo-strategic" canvas and that India's outlook for the region emphasises respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states as well as peaceful resolution of disputes. "While efforts by countries are converging towards effecting a free and stable Indo-Pacific, yet we are witnessing manifestations of inter-state contestations and competitions,"

India to host conclave of Army chiefs of Indo-Pacific to ensure peace

The Indian Army will host a two-day conference of Army chiefs of the Indo-Pacific nations next week with an aim to evolve a common strategy to ensure peace, prosperity and stability against the backdrop of growing global concerns over China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the region. Fifteen Army chiefs and delegations from 22 countries will attend the event to be held in Delhi on September 26 and 27, officials said. The US Army is co-hosting the conference. The Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs' Conclave (IPACC) will deliberate on the role of military diplomacy in mitigating various crises, ways to enhance collaboration among the armed forces of the region and boosting interoperability. An exhibition of India's indigenously developed weapons, military systems and platforms is also being organised on the sidelines of the event. Alongside the 13th edition of the IPACC, the Indian Army is also hosting the 47th Indo Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and the Senior Enlisted ..

India-France partnership to advance secure Indo Pacific region: PM Modi

During his France visit from July 13-14, PM Modi will hold formal talks with President Emmanuel Macron. Macron will host a State Banquet as well as a private dinner in honour of the Prime Minister

India plays key role in ensuring free and open Indo Pacific: US official

India plays a crucial role in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific that is connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient, the Biden administration has said, a week ahead of the Official State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States. The US, India and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the region. Our partnership with India is one of our most consequential relationships. We look closely with India on...we work closely with India on our most vital priorities. They play a crucial role in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific that is connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference on Thursday. Secretary (of State, Tony) Blinken looks forward to seeing Prime Minister Modi and other members of the Indian delegation, while they're here; and working to make

PM announces 12-point development initiatives for Pacific Island nations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled a 12-point development plan for the Pacific Island nations in a range of areas including healthcare, renewable energy and cyber-security as he announced that India is ready to share its capabilities with the region "without any hesitation". Modi made the announcements on the new initiatives at the FIPIC (Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation) summit held at Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. "India respects your priorities. It feels proud to be your development partner. Whether it's humanitarian assistance or your development, you can count India as a reliable partner. Our perspective is based on human values," he said. Announcing the development plan, Modi said India has decided to establish a super-specialty cardiology hospital in Fiji and will assist in setting up dialysis units in all the 14 Pacific island countries. He also announced that sea ambulances will be provided to all the 14 Pacific island countries. "

As a mark of respect, Papua New Guinea PM touches PM Modi's feet; see video

PM Modi's visit to Papua New Guinea is the first-ever tour by any Indian Prime Minister to the Pacific island country

India announces action plan to boost relations with Pacific island nations

Among other things, India will set up a regional IT and Cyber Security training hub in Papua New Guinea, set up dialysis units, yoga centres and Jan Aushadi Kendras in the region

Success, security of Indo-Pacific region important for whole world: PM Modi

The Indo-Pacific region is an "engine" of global trade, innovation and development and its success and security are important for the whole world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. Modi said this in his opening remarks at the Quad summit in Hiroshima that was also joined by US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. He also said that Quad has emerged as a key platform to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the coalition is moving forward on the basis of constructive agenda and democratic principles. "With united efforts, we are giving practical dimension to our vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific," he said. "There is no doubt that the Indo-Pacific region is an engine of global trade, innovation and development," he said. The prime minister said that Quad will continue to work towards human welfare, peace and prosperity. The Quad summit took place on the sidel

Jaishankar discusses Indo-Pacific, Ukraine with 8 counterparts in Sweden

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has discussed a range of issues, including the Indo-Pacific and the Ukraine war, during his meetings here with his counterparts from France, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania. Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Sweden to participate in the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF). He met his counterparts on the sidelines of the EIPMF on Saturday. Glad to meet French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. Share her enthusiasm for making PM Narendra Modi's visit to the Bastille Day a success. Exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific and G20, he tweeted. Prime Minister Modi will attend this year's Bastille Day Parade as the guest of honour on July 14. Modi was invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Parade in Paris. A contingent of the Indian armed forces will also participate in the parade along with their French counterparts, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Jaishankar also met Austri

China, Russia increasing military collaboration, Japanese minister warns

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed concern on Saturday about Russian and Chinese military cooperation in Asia and said the security situation in Europe could not be separated from that in the Indo-Pacific region since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Speaking at a meeting of European and Indo-Pacific foreign ministers in Sweden, Hayashi said Russia's war in Ukraine had shaken the very foundation of the international order and must face a united response by the international community. Otherwise, similar challenges will arise in other regions and the existing order which has underpinned our peace and prosperity could be fundamentally overturned, Hayashi said. Japan firmly backs Ukraine in the war but China says it remains neutral while declaring a no limits relationship with Moscow and blaming the US and NATO for provoking the conflict. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, in March at the same time as Chinese President

US trade rep deepens economic security ties in Asia, reviews IPEF

The United States hopes to deepen trade ties with Japan as it fortifies cooperation on economic security with its Asian allies and partners, the top US trade envoy said Wednesday. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai's visit to Tokyo follows a trip to the Philippine capital, Manila, that she said highlighted a newly emerging partnership among the three countries as they build both economic and defence ties. Tai met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi to discuss making supply chains more resilient and secure, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Tai also reviewed the status of negotiations on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, or IPEF, a new trade pact proposed by Washington, emphasising the importance of cooperation with Japan, it said. The framework has 13 members, including the US, that account for 40 per cent of global gross domestic product: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore,

India crucial partner, trade among key focus areas: South Korea minister

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Park Jin said India is an essential partner in South Korea's strategy for a peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region

India participates in the US-led IPEF negotiating round in Bali

During negotiations issues related to trade, supply chain, clean economy, fair economy, and supply chains were taken up

India, Japan sign fourth tranche of loan for bullet train project

Japan to spend $75 bn to further collaborate with nations to establish free and open Indo Pacific

After G20 FMM, New Delhi to host Quad foreign ministers' meeting today

The meeting, to be presided over by Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, will be attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Australia's Penny Wong