Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Friday that calls for upholding a “free and open international order” will not be achievable without addressing concerns of the Global South.
Addressing the second India-Japan Strategic Forum organized by New Delhi-based think tank Ananta Aspen Centre, Hayashi underlined the importance for “enhanced engagement” with countries of Global South under Tokyo’s ongoing presidency of the G-7 grouping.
“This is guided by our conviction that unless we calmly listen to the voices of the Global South and show a commitment to cooperation on urgent global issues facing these countries, the appeal for upholding a free and open international order based on rules may sound like a mere slogan,” Hayashi told the forum in New Delhi.
The top Japanese diplomat said that it was critical to address the concerns of low and middle-income economies in the spheres of food, development, healthcare, energy, climate change, and environment.
During his remarks and subsequent interaction with the audience, Hayashi highlighted that South Asia and India, in particular, was crucial for Japan’s vision of a “free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”.
He said that India was an “indispensable” partner for Japan’s Indo-Pacific policy, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his visit to New Delhi in March.
India, Japan Top Diplomats Agree on Need for Reforms of UNSC
On Thursday, Hayashi and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar co-chaired the 15th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi, a statement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated.
The ministers said that a “strong and enduring partnership between India and Japan” remained crucial to ensure free, open and a prosperous Indo-Pacific, the MEA said.
The official statement also noted that both the ministers also “agreed on the need for early reforms” of the UN Security Council.