Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to present “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace” in India to counter China’s influence

According to sources, during his visit to India on March 20, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will introduce a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace” with a focus on the Global South and ask for India’s assistance in implementing it.

The plan’s primary goal is to counter China’s growing influence and assertiveness in the region and to offer developing nations more choices in terms of development and security. Kishida is expected to lay out the general framework of the plan at the Sapru House Lecture hosted by the Indian Council of World Affairs.

In his opening speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last June, Kishida had emphasized the consequences of China’s activities in the region and the importance of cooperating closely with India on security and development across the Indo-Pacific.