Japan is keen on collaborating with India on projects in Asia and Africa as a counter to China’s Belt and Road initiative (B&RI). This indicating Japan’s nod for Australia’s bid to join a quadrilateral for military exercises with India and the U.S.

Key Facts

• Japanese government was in talks with Tehran and New Delhi for a role in the Chabahar port project along with India.
• It will be seen as a rival to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s Gwadar port.
• China’s recent economic moves like the BRI as well as an aggressive maritime stance in the South China Sea have been a matter of concern.

About Chabahar port project

• The port of Chabahar is located in southeastern Iran in the Gulf of Oman and it is the only Iranian port with direct access to the ocean.
• Project cost $20-billion investment for India.
• It will be seen as a rival to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s Gwadar port.
• The port will make way for India to bypass Pakistan in transporting goods to Afghanistan using a sea-land route.
• The project boost International North-South Transport Corridor of which both are initial signatories along with Russia.
• International North-South Transport Corridor entails the ship, rail, and road routes for moving freight between India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia.
• The route primarily involves moving freight from India, Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia.
• The objective of the corridor is to increase trade connectivity between major cities such as Mumbai, Moscow, Tehran, Baku, Astrakhan etc.

Source : The Hindu

GS II : Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.