India and Japan sign MoU to strengthen cooperation in Information and Communications Technology

 The Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad urged the electronics industry of Japan to invest in India as well as avail the benefits of the new technologies.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India and Japan on January 15, 2021, to enhance cooperation in the field of ICT- Information and Communications Technology.

The MoU was signed by Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Union Minister for Communications, Electronics and IT, and Takeda Ryota, the Internal Affairs and Communications Minister of Japan. The signing was exchanged through a video conference.

The Japanese Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications expressed happiness during the signing of the MoU between India and Japan. He also assured the commitment of the Japanese government towards mutual cooperation and investments in India.

Objective:

Under this MoU, the Telecom department of India and the Ministry of Communications of Japan will enhance the mutual cooperation in the field of telecom security, 5G technologies, spectrum management, submarine optical fiber cable system to Indian islands, a high-altitude platform for broadband in unconnected areas, disaster management and public safety, smart cities, etc.

Key Highlights:

•  While speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister noted the timely execution of connecting Andaman & Nicobar with the submarine optical fiber cable and mentioned it as a great example of cooperation between India and Japan.

•  He also shared India’s rapid adoption of innovative digital technologies during the pandemic such as the rapid growth of digital payments, the Aarogya Setu tracing App, digital hearings in the courts of India.

•  The minister also highlighted that during the pandemic, because of the attractive policies of India such as SPECS and PLI, there has been a large investment in the field of electronics manufacturing.

Invitation to the Japanese electronics industry:

The Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad urged the electronics industry of Japan to invest in India as well as avail the benefits of the new technologies.

He also further highlighted the great potential that India holds for Japanese investors in the area of 5G and 5G based services, digital health technologies, Internet of Things, etc.

It has also been agreed between both the countries that apart from the cooperation at the ministry level, organisations of the Indian government such as ITI Limited and C-DOT along with the Japanese industry partners will also be part of this cooperation.