India-Japan partnership enhances stability in Indo-Pacific: Jaishankar
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New Delhi (PTI): The India-Japan partnership enhances the strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific region and contributes to economic growth at the global level, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday.
Jaishankar said maintaining a "free and open" Indo-Pacific is a stronger imperative but also a more complex challenge.
He was speaking at the India-Japan Indo-Pacific Forum organised by the Delhi Policy Group and the Japan Institute of International Affairs.
"Our partnership that has deepened so much in the last few decades has greater value than ever before. It serves to enhance strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific and contribute to the economic one at a global level," Jaishankar said.
"Maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific is a stronger imperative but also a more complex challenge," he noted.
Jaishankar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent phone conversation with his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, as soon as she assumed office, is testimony to the priority that both sides attach to the relationship.
"Looking ahead, the India-Japan partnership must focus on leveraging our strengths, bolstering our supply chains and investing in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, clean energy and space," he said.
Jaishankar said as two major democracies and maritime nations, India and Japan have a larger responsibility towards the Indo-Pacific.
"The Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative, where Japan co-leads the maritime trade, transport and connectivity pillar, has the potential to advance our contributions," he said.
Jaishankar highlighted new initiatives, such as the Next Generation Mobility Partnership, Economic Security Initiative, Joint Crediting Mechanism and Joint Declaration on Clean Hydrogen and Ammonia and an MoU in the field of mineral resources, as examples of an evolving contemporary agenda.
"People-to-people exchanges are expected to receive a boost with the Action Plan for Human Resource Cooperation and Exchange. As they unfold, we may expect to create a deeper understanding at the societal level," he said.
"Together, all these initiatives reaffirm the strategic and comprehensive nature of our ties," he added.
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Dalit officer alleges harassment by senior officials in Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate
Bengaluru: An Inspector of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) has alleged that Dalit officers are facing harassment from senior officials within the department that is meant to handle cases of atrocities against SC/ST communities.
Inspector T.R. Srinivas has made the allegations in a letter addressed to DCRE Director General of Police Umesh Kumar, which he has also shared with the media. He has also released a video reiterating the claims.
In the video, Srinivas has named DCRE SP Karibasangouda and DySP Maheshwaragouda, alleging that he was pressured to act in favour of upper-caste accused in certain cases. He further claimed that false complaints were accepted against him and he was harassed in the name of inquiry.
Srinivas also alleged that he was not officially relieved from duty in DCRE, but that SP Karibasangouda and DySP Maheshwaragouda created “fake documents” showing that he had been relieved, which he said was in violation of an order of the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT).
He said he had served for 20 years without any adverse remarks, but is now being targeted. “Working for Dalits and serving in the police department itself seems to have become a mistake,” he said, adding that Dalit officers are not receiving protection in the state.
He also alleged lack of transparency in the department and claimed that decisions are being dominated by upper-caste officials. In the video, he appealed to the government to intervene and prevent any untoward incident, warning that if the situation continues, responsibility would lie with the Chief Minister, Home Minister and the DGP.
Srinivas had been transferred from the DCRE last month, but had obtained a stay on the transfer from the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal.
Meanwhile, DCRE SP Karibasangouda has denied the allegations made by Srinivas.
