Ministers highlight importance of cooperating with India

Karuizawa, Japan: Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven nations reiterated the importance of a “free and open Indo-Pacific” and cooperating with India as well as reaffirmed their commitment to promoting cooperation in line with the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

The comments mark the culmination of a three-day -ong meeting that was held in Karuizawa, Nagano in central Japan and comes ahead of the G7 leaders’ summit to be held in Hiroshima this May. “We re- iterate the importance of a free and open IndoPacific, which is inclusive, prosperous, secure, based on the rule of law, and that protects shared principles including sov- ereignty, territorial integrity & peaceful resolution of disputes, fundamental freedoms and human rights,” the joint comminique stated. “We reaffirm individual ini- tiatives of the G7 members and welcome those of our partners to enhance their engagement with the region. We underscore our commitment to further strengthening our 3 coordination among the G7 on the region, to working with regional partners, including ASEAN and its member states,” it read.

The ministers said they reaffirmed their unwavering support for ASEAN centrality &our commitment to promoting cooperation in line with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

NEED TO BREAK CYCLE OF PANIC, SAYS HEALTH MINISTER MANDAVIYA

New Delhi (PTI): Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Tuesday stressed on collectively breaking the cycle of panic and not letting pandemic fatigue diminish the country’s efforts of preparedness against the coronavirus situation. In his keynote address at the concluding session of the second G20 Health Working Group Meeting, he said, “India’s G20 Presidency plans to continue the momentum brought during Italy and Indonesian presidency and consolidate the efforts made so far towards health emergencies preparedness, prevention and response”, the Union minister said.