India welcomes Japan’s will to propose dialogue with two other nations for free-trade, defense co-operation

NewsBharati 27-Oct-2017

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New Delhi, October 27: Since a long time Japan has been trying to counter China with an alternative plan for OBOR(One Belt One Rod) initiative. Japan wants to promote free trade and that is why the country was thinking of an alternative of OBOR. On Thursday Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Japan wants to propose a top-level dialogue with US, India, and Australia. On very next day, India has welcomed the dialogue.

On Thursday in an interview with Nikkei Asian Review, Japanese Foreign Minister said Japan would propose a dialogue for free trade and defense cooperation across the vast area, ranging from Southeast, South and Central Asia. The project is aimed to extend till Africa. “We are in an era when Japan has to exert itself diplomatically by drawing a big strategic picture,” Kono told Nikkei.

Replying to that India has expressed its will to work with like-minded countries on issues that will help country’s development. A statement says India has an open mind to cooperate with countries with convergence but on an agenda relevant to India.

Giving an example of India’s tri-lateral involvement with various countries such as India-Japan-Us, India-Japan- Australia, India-Afghanistan-Iran, the stamen reads India is not rigid about such issues.

Japan India Australia Taro Kono US OBOR Free Trade