Japan PM set to outline ‘open, free’ Indo-Pacific plan in visit next week

His plan is expected to include the provision of non-military equipment and infrastructure support for countries in the Indo-Pacific region that have been facing threats from Beijing’s belligerence in the region, including the military build-up in the South China Sea.

By choosing Delhi to announce the new plan, Kishida is signalling India’s importance. A former foreign minister, Kishida is well aware of India’s centrality in the strategy against China’s aggression in the region. Officials said this will place India at the centre of the new Japanese government’s plan, in continuity with Abe’s approach.

This will be Kishida’s second visit in a year — he came to New Delhi for a bilateral visit on March 19-20 last year, weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine. It comes at a time when India is set to host the G20 summit in September this year — he is expected to come to Delhi again then.

Officials said Kishida will also take the opportunity to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi

to attend the G-7 leaders’ summit in Hiroshima in May this year, as a guest country. He is likely to brief Modi on the new plan to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, a Japan-led initiative aimed at curbing China’s growing regional assertiveness, that is designed to maintain a rules-based international order.

The action plan emphasises Japan’s commitment to the Global South and deepens bilateral ties. It will likely include bolstering development cooperation for emerging and developing economies in the Global South and strengthening the security capabilities of partner countries, according to officials.

In June last year, Kishida had said in Singapore that Japan would compile a new Indo-Pacific action plan.

Since both Japan and India are members of the Quad grouping along with the US and Australia, the two leaders will also take the opportunity to discuss the importance of working together bilaterally as well, officials said. They will also meet for the Quad leaders’ in Australia in May this year.

The Indo-Pacific concept was first proposed by then Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, during his visit to India in 2007, when he delivered “The Confluence of Two Seas” speech in Parliament. Abe was invited as chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in 2014, and conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 2021 for his contribution to India-Japan ties. After Abe was assassinated last year, Modi went to Japan to attend his state funeral.