India joins hand with Japan to defend digital threats

New Delhi: Joining hands with one of the most technologically advanced countries – Japan, India has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to work together in the field of cybersecurity.

“The union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the field of cybersecurity between India and Japan,” the government said in a statement.

The approval to the pact by the cabinet comes in the midst of growing concerns over cyber attacks from China, particularly after India banned over 100 mobile apps with Chinese links.

The MoC will enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, which include inter-alia, capacity building in the area of cyberspace; protection of critical infrastructure, cooperation in emerging technologies, sharing information on cybersecurity threats/incidents and malicious cyber activities, as well as best prac­tices to counter them, developing joint mechanisms for practical cooperation to mitigate cyber threats to the security of Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure etc.

India and Japan commit to an open, interoperable, free, fair, secure and reliable cyberspace environment and to promote the Internet as an engine of innovation, economic growth, and trade and commerce that would be consistent with their respective domestic laws and international obligations, and with their wide-ranging strategic partnership.

Both sides, through the MoC, affirm cooperation in the international arena including in the United Nations, Discussing and sharing strategies and best prac­tices to promote the integrity of the supply chain of ICT products, strengthening the security of ICT infrastructure through Government-to-Government and Business-to-Business cooperation, Continuing dialogue and engagement in Internet governance fora, and to support active participation by all the stakeholders of the two countries in these fora.