Japan together with Bangladesh wants to play a vital role in materializing a free and open Indo-Pacific region under the new plan for Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) including the ‘Industrial Value Chain” initiative.’
Japanese Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh MACHIDA Tatsuya on Wednesday said Japan and Bangladesh can play a vital role in materializing a free and open Indo-Pacific region under the new plan for Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) including “Industrial Value Chain” initiative”.
MACHIDA Tatsuya made the remark at a seminar organized by the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh and Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) on “Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Implications for South Asia Region” on September 5, 2023 at the Multipurpose Hall of the Embassy of Japan.
The Minister and the Deputy Chief of the Mission introduced Japan’s practice of FOIP in Bangladesh especially in the field of cooperation for peace and stability, such as “Official Security Assistance” (OSA) and negotiations on Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology.
Professor JIMBO Ken, Professor of Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University while presenting a keynote speech at the seminar said that various countries around the world are paying great attention to the Indo-Pacific concept and enhancing their engagements and collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
In this regard, Professor JIMBO welcomed the announcement of “the Indo-Pacific Outlook of Bangladesh” by the Government of Bangladesh in April this year.
He further observed that the concept of Indo-Pacific emerged in the 2010s as the regional concepts of Asia had evolved since the 1980s. Professor JIMBO explained that the first officialized version of the Indo-Pacific policy can be traced back to the speech of former Prime Minister of Japan ABE Shinzo which was made at the TICAD VI in Nairobi, Kenya in August 2016.
Professor JIMBO also described the opportunities and challenges we face in promoting the concept of Indo-Pacific from the security and economic viewpoint.
Major General (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman, President of BIPSS, moderated the seminar. He stated that the concept of Free and Open Indo-Pacific, commonly known as FOIP, has become the epicenter of global geopolitics and geo-economics. It is a vision for rule based international order that promotes peace, stability and economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
He also mentioned that at its core, FOIP aims to ensure that nations can navigate the waters of the Indo-Pacific freely and peacefully adhering to international norms and standards. It is a response to the evolving strategic landscape characterized by shifting power dynamics, economic interdependence and a growing number of security challenges in the region.
Dr. Lailufar Yasmin, Professor and Chairperson of Department of International Relations, Dhaka University, and Shafqat Munir, Senior Research Fellow of BIPSS were the discussants for the seminar.
Dr. Lailufar Yasmin stated that in this maritime century, connectivity and access to sea are seen as central in the management of a country’s future. The Indo-Pacific as a region is still evolving. Due to the evolving nature of the region, the relationships among the actors are also being redefined and need to be cultivated on an everyday basis, she said.
Shafqat Munir argued that the Free and Open Indo-Pacific concept as espoused by Japan will be an important marker in strengthening peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region. The new avenues of cooperation that are opening between Bangladesh and Japan, particularly in the area of security cooperation, will further strengthen our already strong bilateral relationship.
Bangladesh wants to see a global system that is just and equitable where all countries, big and small, can play their rightful role strengthening the rule based international system.
Excellences, academics, diplomats and international organization officials, government officials, defense personnel, journalists were present among the participants.
