Date:13/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/13/stories/2007031317120500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

"Multi-layered networks needed for Asia"

Staff Reporter

Seminar organised by Centre for Security Analysis

CHENNAI: Asia needs "multi-layered networks with overlapping relationships," according to Takio Yamada, political minister at the embassy of Japan in New Delhi. He was addressing a seminar organised by the Centre for Security Analysis on Monday.

"Not against China"

Alliances such as the one Japan will seal with Australia this week — Tokyo's first defence pact with a country other than the U.S. — are not aimed against other nations, he said, responding to the speculation that the joint security declaration is aimed at reining in China's military might.

"Triangles compatible"

He said "triangles" such as the US-India-Japan relationship or the strategic talks between India, China and Russia were "compatible" with each other.

Stressing that it was not an era of alliances pitted against one another, Mr. Yamada said that unlike the Great Game of the 19th century or the polarised Cold War groups of the 20th, "in the contemporary game, we have a system of mutual engagement... there is a good chance of creating a win-win game." Asia needs a better multilateral framework to "enhance the level of trust and transparency in strategic and political policies."

"India and Japan need to formulate a common vision of a future Asia."

The three pillars of an Indo-Japan partnership were efforts to enhance the economic relationship, improve facilities to respond to common concerns such as natural disasters, energy or maritime issues and political confidence building measures, Mr. Yamada said.

"We are seeking a holistic partnership. If we cooperate, the region will be much safer and more prosperous," he said.