Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar says non-proliferation a challenge for India and Japan

NEW DELHI: Taking an indirect jibe at the nuclear proliferation network in the neighborhoods of both India and Japan, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on Thursday referred to this as a common challenge for both Delhi and Tokyo and suggested partnership against such threats.

Inaugurating a book on India-Japan partnership here this evening Jaishanhar remarked that both nations face non-proliferation challenges in their neighborhood. While he did not name either Pakistan or North Korea the reference was obvious. The recent hydrogen bomb test by North Korea has made Japan and South Korea wary of Pyongyangs militaristic intentions. India too did not hide its displeasure at the nuclear weapons network between North Korea and Pakistan following the test.

In the similar breadth the Foreign Secretary also referred to challenges that India and Japan face from growing menace of terrorism.

Referring to Japan's re-emergence as as a strategic power Jaishankar asserted that a multi-polar Asia will lead to a multi-polar world. He referred to growing Indo-Japan strategic partnership as the net security provider in the Asia-Pacific region amid China's aggressive strategy in the region.

Pointing to recent outcomes at the India-Japan annual summit last month the senior diplomat pointed out that declarations in the economic spheres have the capability to transform India's economy under the Make in India initiative.