Chennai: Describing India as ‘Asia’s gravity point’, Japanese Deputy Minister of Defence Yasuhide Nakayama has said his country would like to see India ‘commit more’ towards the Quadrilateral coalition or Quad.
Nakayama also expressed concerns over growing challenges emanating from Chinese military assertiveness in the key maritime zones in the region, and said it is important for like-minded countries to expand collaboration to deal with the situation.
Nakayama said Japan, India, United States and Australia understand the importance of a democratic system and a free and open Indo-Pacific and hoped that the Quad will emerge as more important grouping in the future.The Quad comprises India, Japan, Australia and the US.
“I personally know India’s position and I personally request India to commit more to protect the free and open Indo Pacific region. We want a strong India. India is Asia’s gravity point and is very important….We love India and we want more commitment from India towards the Quad,” he said.
Replying to a question on coronavirus, the deputy minister said the Chinese government as well as the World Health Organisation have to explain to the world about it.
“I think the Chinese government along with WHO will have to explain what is going on to the people of the world. We would want to know what happened at the original point from where the virus expanded. I think the Chinese government should put effort in explaining this to other countries,” he said.