Page 4 - Indo Pacific Region

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

Working to support plans to promote a free open Indo-Pacific region: USIBC

A top American business advocacy group has said that it is working to support plans to promote a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. During an ongoing meeting with stakeholders of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), the US India Business Council (USIBC) also focused on building resilient supply chains for the biopharmaceutical sector as well as for critical minerals essential to the energy transition, a media release here said. The framework is being hosted by the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Delhi from February 8 to 11. On Thursday, the USIBC said that it is working to support plans to promote a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific is a biogeographic region, comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea. 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 .

Sri Lanka, US to conduct joint exercises to maintain free Indo-Pacific

Sri Lanka and the US will conduct a week-long joint military exercises starting Thursday to prepare for disaster relief and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific

US seeks stronger labour, environmental standards in Asia to counter China

The US is outlining its goals for a new trade deal with Australia, Japan, South Korea and nine other nations meant to signal the country's commitment to working with the Indo-Pacific region at a time of growing Chinese clout. The Office of the US Trade Representative on Friday released its negotiating objectives for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a deal with the 12 nations launched in May. Among them, the US wants the Indo-Pacific countries to improve their labour and environmental standards and ensure their markets remain open to competition, while also taking steps to ease supply-chain backlogs at border crossings. After the Trump administration's clashes with US allies, Asian countries have welcomed America's reengagement in the region, which also comes at a time of considerable economic disruption arising from COVID-19 and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But many were disappointed the framework doesn't lower tariffs or provide signatories with more access to the US market.

India, France agree to expand cooperation on Indo-Pacific body

India and France on Wednesday agreed to set up an Indo-Pacific trilateral framework to roll out development projects, decided to expand strategic cooperation and vowed to work closely to deal with pressing global challenges such as food crisis triggered by the Ukraine war. After wide-ranging talks with her Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna described Russian attacks on Ukraine as waging a "devastating war of aggression" on the territory of a sovereign state and that France is determined to work with India addressing the "terrible consequences" of the war. Referring to the Indo-Pacific, she said many challenges have emerged because of China and both France and India share the same concerns "because we know the role that the Chinese are playing and we want to make sure there is no imbalance" in the region. India and France also decided to expand cooperation in the Indo-Pacific under separate trilaterals with Australia and the United Arab ...

IPEF ministerial meet was inclusive and fruitful, says Piyush Goyal

Goyal said that on three out of four pillars related to supply chains, tax and anti-corruption and clean energy, India was comfortable with the outcome and text and has joined the declaration

India to wait before association with trade track in IPEF: Piyush Goyal

"In the meantime, our officials will be participating in the discussions with an open mind and in the best interests of the people of India and businesses in India," Goyal said

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework ministerial summit concludes in Los Angeles

The ministers had positive and constructive discussions and announced a substantial milestone in their pursuit of a high standard and inclusive economic framework, the US Department of Commerce stated

India opts out of trade talks with a US-led group of Asian nations

Known as IPEF, the initiative is an effort by President Joe Biden's administration to deepen ties with Asian nations through a range of issues including trade, climate change, supply chains and tax

India will continue to work for SAGAR vision, says EAM Jaishankar

Taking to Twitter, External Affairs Minister said that India will continue to work for the Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR) vision for a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific

IPEF versus Rcep

The IPEF has military ramifications, but the Rcep does not

Best of BS Opinion: IPEF versus Rcep, covid is not over, and more

Here are the top BS Opinion articles of the day

India-Australia ties crucial to deter Chinese ambitions in Indo-Pacific: MP

In a telephonic conversation with ANI, Trayling said, "India-Australia relationship is important in trying to deter the Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific area and the Chinese brutality"

Diplomatic push in Asia to counter China paying dividends: US Official

US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet told The Associated Press that 13 nations representing 40 per cent of the world's economy had signed on to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

As China seeks big Pacific deal, many in Fiji see infrastructural benefits

Wang hosts a key meeting in Fiji with foreign ministers from 10 Pacific nations he hopes will endorse a sweeping new agreement covering everything from security to fisheries