Japan's Kishida to announce new Indo-Pacific plan, seek India's support

Under the plan, which will be announced during Fumio Kishida's two-day visit to India, Japan will increase support to emerging economies, especially in the region, Japanese officials said

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will on Monday announce a new plan for an open and free Indo-Pacific in New Delhi and seek India's support to partner with Tokyo to check China's growing influence across the region.

Under the plan, which will be announced during Mr. Kishida's two-day visit to India, Japan will increase support to emerging economies, especially in the region, Japanese officials said.

India and Japan have been adding more depth to their relations, especially in defence and strategic affairs, as both face threats from a dominant China.

Mr. Kishida’s decision to announce his new plan during the annual summit between the two countries underlines the importance Tokyo places on New Delhi as a key player in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japanese officials said that Mr. Kishida believes that given India’s strategic geopolitical location in the Indian Ocean, and as the world’s largest democracy, it will play a significant role in realising his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

India and Japan, along with the United States and Australia, are members of the so-called Quad which seeks to counter China’s growing heft in the region.

Quad members say it is not a military grouping but they will jointly participate in the annual Malabar naval wargaming exercise in Australia this year, which will also host the Quad summit in May.