Prof. TAKAHARA Akio delivered online lecture “Towards a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Its Vision, Significance and Practices in the Bay of Bengal” at North South University

    A Lecture Program by Professor TAKAHARA Akio on “Towards a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Its Vision, Significance and Practices in the Bay of Bengal” was held online on October 27, 2022. Professor TAKAHARA Akio is a Professor of the Graduate Schools for Law and Politics, University of Tokyo. This program was jointly organized by the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) of North South University (NSU) and the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh.   
 
    In his lecture, Professor TAKAHARA discussed the role Japan can play to avoid deepening divisions and conflicts in the world. He pointed out that Japan is playing a significant role in promoting human security and “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”.
He stated that FOIP aims at extending the stability and prosperity of East Asia to South Asia and West Asia as well as Africa. He also elaborated three pillars of FOIP; (1) commitment for peace and stability, (2) promotion and establishment of the rule of law, freedom of navigation, free trade, and (3) pursuit of economic prosperity.
Having said that, Professor TAKAHARA introduced various cooperative projects conducted by JICA to realize FOIP including maritime safety and security policy program. He also pointed out that FOIP is not for countering the “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)”, rather they can be compatible particularly in the economic field.
With regard to the relationship with China, Professor TAKAHARA noted that there are two aspects - fragility and resilience -, and mentioned that Japan can respond to China by two-pronged approach: Competition and Cooperation.  He lastly reiterated that the realization of FOIP is important for maintaining rule-based order and bolstering peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
 
    Mr. ITO Naoki, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, graced the program as the guest of honor. He mentioned that it is increasingly important to ensure a rule-based international order as we face new challenges in the world. In this context, he commended Bangladesh for voting in favor of the UN General Assembly resolution on the territorial integrity of Ukraine from the perspective of respecting the principles of the UN Charter.
Ambassador ITO also appreciated the progress of JICA’s infrastructure projects under the “BIG-B” initiative launched by Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and late Prime Minister ABE Shinzo in 2014. He expressed his hope to elevate bilateral relations from the “comprehensive partnership” to the “strategic partnership”, so that Japan and Bangladesh can start bilateral cooperation in new areas such as defense sector.
 
    Professor Atiqul Islam, Vice-Chancellor of North South University, chaired the webinar. He said that Prof. TAKAHARA’s lecture helped us to understand the necessity of FOIP and important common aspect between FOIP and BRI in terms of economic cooperation. Describing the sea lane in the world as commons which does not belong to anyone, he mention that if everyone follows the enlightened view of FOIP, it would be a solution to the issues related to sea lane which reduces the potential of world trade and damages economic interest in the world.
Professor Atiqul Islam also appreciated Ambassador ITO’s efforts to promote the economic relationship between Japan and Bangladesh and Japan’s cooperative approach for development of Bangladesh.
 
Dr. M Jashim Uddin, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and Sociology, and Faculty of SIPG, NSU served as the discussant.
 
Professor Sk. Tawfique M. Haque, Director, SIPG & Chair, Department of Political Science and Sociology, NSU moderated the program.