During their fourth cyber discussion, India and Japan went through the whole range of cyber security and bilateral cooperation in this area on 01 July, 2022, Thursday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) provided information about the virtual mode talks that India hosted and stated that both parties discussed significant areas of bilateral cyber cooperation and reviewed the advancements made in cyber security and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) including 5G Technology. During cyber talks at the UN and other international and regional fora, the two delegations discussed recent developments in the cyber domain and mutual collaboration.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both parties evaluated the progress in cybersecurity and information and communication technology sectors. They addressed key areas of bilateral cyber cooperation. It stated that topics discussed during talks at the United Nations and other international and regional fora included advances in the cyber realm and cross-border cooperation in the field thus to be seen as an effort by both the nations to strengthen the international cyber laws and policies.
The MEA released a statement stating that “both parties addressed critical areas of bilateral cyber cooperation and evaluated the progress achieved in the fields of cybersecurity and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), particularly 5G Technology.” The announcement is expected to draw the attention of the stakeholders in the Indian 5G sector as it gets ready to open up for international operators and especially since there is lack of clarity on possible participation of Chinese technology majors in the 5G arena.
Muanpuii Saiawi, joint secretary in the MEA’s cyber diplomacy section, served as the head of the Indian delegation during the fourth India-Japan Cyber Dialogue. Yutaka Arima, the ambassador in charge of cyber policy at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, served as the delegation’s leader.
Senior representatives from The Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministries of Home Affairs, Defense, the Secretariat of the National Security Council, the Ministries of Electronics and Information Technology, the Department of Telecommunications, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, and the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Center made up the Indian delegation and the pressing matters of cyber security and innovation were discussed to boost the industries in the country and move towards being a world leader in production.
Senior representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication (MIC), Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), and MOFA made up the Japanese delegation. The National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity was another delegation member.
The second India-Japan Cyber Dialogue will take place in 2023 at a convenient time for both parties. Both nations struck a deal on cyber security in March when Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited India. The talks with Japan on terms of cyber security will prove to be instrumental in more firm cybersecurity and technological advancements as well. Japan as a nation is already implementing 7G technology and it’s fair to say that India has a lot to learn from Japan in terms of technology and innovation.
In times where cyber security of an individual as well as the nation has become vulnerable, most anti state actors try to add menace to our cyber ecosystem and hence such long lasting and efficient international relationships will strengthen the cyber security and also will be a strong message against the non ally country. Such agreements, strengthening the technology of the nations will turn out to be precedents in terms of international cyber laws and policies as the same will be monumental in terms of advancements and latest innovations and hence will be a source for the under developed and developing countries. India plays a vital role in the global market and thus is more vulnerable from anti state actors attacks thus opening the doors for foreign innovation will help India to take the war to those anti state actors.
Author – Mr. Shrey Madaan, Research Associate, CyberPeace Foundation
