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Agencies:

India & Japan finalize landmark Cyber-Security pact for Co-operation on 5G, AI and Critical information infrastructure

New Delhi
October 8, 2020

India and Japan have finalized a landmark Cyber-Security agreement providing for enhancing co-operation on 5G technology, artificial intelligence and critical information infrastructure as the two strategic partners vowed to further broad base their joint efforts in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.

After a meeting between foreign ministers of the two countries in Tokyo on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the two sides have firmed up the pact which will promote co-operation in 5G technology, internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and key areas of cyberspace among others.

The firming up of the deal comes in the midst of growing concerns in India over cyber attacks from China, particularly after India banned over 100 mobile apps with Chinese links following the bitter border standoff between the two countries in eastern Ladakh.

Separately, a meeting of the Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved signing of the agreement with Japan.

Following talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi, it was also announced that Japan agreed to be the lead partner in the connectivity pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI).

"The agreement promotes co-operation in capacity building, research and development, security and resilience in the areas of Critical Information Infrastructure, 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), among others," it said.