5G technologies cooperation and medical applications of Artificial Intelligence were among the factors discussed at the 6th India-Japan ICT Joint Working Group meeting on Tuesday.

From Japan, Vice Minister Yoshida Mabito represented the country and from India, the team included the Department of Telecom’s K Ramchand, and Ministry of Communication’s Anshu Prakash. The Joint Working Group on ICT was introduced in January 2014 under the aegis of the Japan-India ICT Comprehensive Cooperation Framework.

An anonymous statement inscribes, “Information and Communications Technology (ICT) plays a crucial role in sustaining our economic strength and ensuring security. It is increasingly felt that the partnership between trusted partners carries weight in this field. In this regard, Japan and India have been nurturing the ‘Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership’, based on our shared values, including freedom and democracy. ICT is also an indispensable ingredient to advance our shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.”

Another undisclosed identity person said, “The sixth meeting today (Tuesday) included 5G and other new proposals for cooperation. 5G is the area where our two countries can further collaborate. In today’s session, issues like wireless planning, and standardization of technology, as well as its utilization, were discussed.”

India has continuously been exchanging notes and consulting partners like Japan and Australia on the adoption of 5G technology, the next-gen technology for wireless communications which is expected for improvement of data speed and propel Internet of Things, guaranteeing industry-altering changes for sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, education, transport, and agriculture.

Consultation begins against the backdrop of security concerns started against the Chinese equipment supplier Huawei globally. Australia rejected Chinese firm Huawei’s participation in 5G trials while Japan said it will take its own measures in the event of any security concern vis a vis Chinese companies in 5G.

The government of the United Kingdom banned the new installation of Huawei’s 5G gear from September 2021, and plans for phasing out all Huawei networks by 2027. Already the United States has banned Huawei gear till May 2021 stating national security risk.

The previous week, India’s department of telecommunications constituted working groups for exploring the implementation of 5G technology in eight different sectors like agriculture, fintech, transportation, and education. It included members from Huawei in those. It’s a move amidst military tensions between India and China along their common border.

The discussion also included the India-Japan meeting on Tuesday on submarine optical fiber placement, smart-city development programme and Artificial Intelligence use in healthcare, the second person. 

NEC, a Japanese firm was involved in laying the submarine optical fiber cable connecting Chennai, and Andaman, and Nicobar Islands, which were inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, in August this year. 

Another anonymous person stated, “To take the example of healthcare, a collaborative project was introduced with Asian Institute of Gastroenterology in Hyderabad where a software utilizing AI assists colonoscopy diagnosis.”

India and China are presently in talks for finalizing a new Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of ICT for upgrading their joint efforts.