(a) whether India and Japan have signed a joint statement for bilateral cooperation in communications and IT;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the first meeting of the India-Japan Information Communications Technology Ministerial Forum was held in August, 2005;
(d) if so, the outcome thereof;
(e) the extent to which both countries have agreed to set up projects in India and Japan; and
(f) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to implement them?
ANSWERMINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY(DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b):
The Minister of Communications & Information Technology of India and the Minister for Internal Affairs & Communications of Japan signed a Joint Statement on January 18th 2005 in Tokyo, Japan. In the Joint Statement the two Ministers confirmed that ICT is a major driving force in promoting sustainable economic & social development, improving quality of life, helping people achieve their full potential and maintaining cultural diversities. It has also been mentioned that the Asia Broadband Program, can make a significant contribution to the development of the information society in both countries and confirmed the necessity to strengthen cooperation between Japan and India in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
The Ministers shared the view that the cooperative activities
should include the following: Encouraging the use of affordable
technologies for broadband network;Promoting e-services such as
e-governance, e-education and e-health; -
Holding Policy dialogues and cooperating on ICT policies, laws and regulation; -
Promoting joint R&D and standardization such as the ubiquitous service and network technology; -
Encouraging joint business events and activities; -
To initiate dialogue at appropriate level to boost business between the two countries. Specific suggestions will be taken by the subject matter Ministries; - With a view to synergise software and hardware capabilities of the two countries, establish a cooperation mechanism including facilitation of investment in each country; and - Other forms of cooperation arranged by the participation of the two countries.
(c): Yes, Sir. The first meeting of the India-Japan Information & Communications Technology Ministerial Forum was held on August 24, 2005 at New Delhi.
(d),(e) and (f): The Minister of Communications & Information Technology of India and the Minister for Internal Affairs & Communications of Japan signed a Joint Statement during the 1st meeting of the India-Japan Information & Communications Technology Ministerial Forum, wherein it was decided to set up Working Groups on following specific areas in order to explore the possibilities of joint development, collaborations and ventures: - Broadband systems and connectivity - Mobile communications - E-Governance - Information Security - Research and Development - Ubiquitous computing