The Hindu Business Line : India, Japan sign pacts for collaboration in ICT sector

The Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Mr Taro Aso (right) introducing members of the Japanese business delegation to the Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Mr Dayanidhi Maran, in the Capital on Wednesday. — Kamal Narang

New Delhi , Aug. 24

INDIA and Japan have agreed to set up a joint task-force to identify and explore the possibility of joint ventures and stand-alone projects in the areas of broadband, mobile communication, e-governance, information security, research and development and ubiquitous computing. The two sides have also signed three memoranda of understanding for enhancing cooperation in the information communication technology (ICT) sector.

The National Institute of Information and Communication Technology of Japan has signed the MoUs with C-DAC, C-DoT and IIT (Guwahati).

The MoU and the agreement to set up the task-force was signed by Mr Dayanidhi Maran, Minister for Communication and IT, and Mr Taro Aso, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan, during the first India-Japan ICT Ministerial Forum held here on Wednesday.

Over 100 top Japanese executives from companies including NTT, NEC, Matsushita, OKI and Kyocera were part of the deliberations.

"Both the sides decided to constitute working groups comprising industries and representatives of the government in the areas of broadband, mobile communication, e-governance, information security, R&D and ubiquitous computing to achieve a meaningful outcome of the India-Japan ICT Forum. It was agreed by both the sides that these groups will evolve a detailed action plan for the implementation of the programmes contained in the joint statement," Mr Maran said.

The joint task-force will be headed by Mr M. Madhavan Nambiar, Additional Secretary, Department of Information Technology, from the Indian side, and Mr Ishida, Director General, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, from the Japanese side.

Mr Maran said an Indo-Japanese centre would be set up with Chennai as the hub.

Earlier, speaking at the first session of the ministerial forum, Mr Maran said the agreements would translate the mutual desire for co-operation into action by setting the stage to establish working panels for individual business segments.

"We have a lot to learn from Japan when it comes to technology. While we are still grappling with issues relating to voice, Japanese operators are much ahead in deploying advanced technologies like GPON.

Indian software exports to Japan accounts for only 3 per cent of the total market and the forum will give an opportunity for Indian companies to interact with top Japanese companies."

The Japanese Minister, Mr Taro Aso, said a collaborative partnership between Japan, the most advanced ICT nation, and India would bring about the realisation of an unparalleled ICT power.

Mr Aso said the working groups would work towards encouraging interested participants from the governments, industries and academics of the two countries.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
India, Singapore agree to increase flights

India, Japan sign pacts for collaboration in ICT sector

Plastic bags on their way out in Maharashtra

Maharashtra announces new non-conventional energy policy

Why not 100% reservation for women!

Left will oppose FDI in retail: Yechury

Prasar Bharati still relevant, says Reddy