India, Japan sign MoU to enhance co-operation in 5G, Telecom Security, Submarine Optical Fiber Cable, Smart Cities

New Delhi: India and Japan on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to step up cooperation in the field of Information and Communications Technologies.

The deal was inked by IT & Communications minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and his Japanese counterpart Takeda Ryota via video conference.

Department of Telecom and Ministry of Communications along with Japanese government will enhance mutual cooperation in the field of 5G technologies, telecom security, submarine optical fiber cable system to islands of India, spectrum management, smart cities, high altitude platform for broadband in unconnected areas, disaster management and public safety etc.

It has been agreed that apart from Ministry level cooperation, Government of India organization such as C-DOT and ITI Limited along with industry partners from Japan will also part of this cooperation.

Signed MoU for cooperation in the field of Information and Communication Technologies with Government of Japan in presence of Mr. Takeda Ryota, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, Govt. Japan. pic.twitter.com/SJGAvZZplV

— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) January 15, 2021

Speaking on this occasion, IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad highlighted the timely execution of connecting Andaman & Nicobar Islands with submarine optical fiber cable as a great example of cooperation between India and Japan.

He further shared the rapid adoption of innovative digital technologies by India during COVID19 pandemic such as AarogyaSetu app, use of Aadhaar Enabled Payment System for doorstep disbursement of cash by India Post, digital hearings in Courts of India and rapid growth of digital payments.

He further highlighted that during COVID19, due to attractive polices like PLI and SPECS large amount of investments have come to India in the field of electronics manufacturing. He urged the Japanese electronics industry to invest in India and avail the benefits of the new technologies.

I shared the digital innovations made by India during pandemic and achievements in the field of electronics manufacturing with my Japanese counterpart. pic.twitter.com/nHUXSA7l2h

— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) January 15, 2021

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

Japanese Minister Takeda Ryota expressed happiness on signing of MoU between India and Japan and expressed the commitment of Government of Japan towards mutual cooperation and investments in India.