ISLAMABAD (Khyber Mail): At an international seminar organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Professor Masayuki Masuda of Japan’s National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) highlighted Pakistan’s pivotal role in promoting regional stability and peace amidst evolving challenges. He emphasized that both Pakistan and Japan, having endured significant losses due to conflicts, are uniquely positioned to collaborate on peacebuilding efforts.
Professor Masuda underscored Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” concept, which aligns with Pakistan’s connectivity interests, calling for enhanced cooperation in areas like telecom, AI, and climate change to foster mutual benefits.
NIDS Senior Fellow Masahiro Kurita reassured that Japan’s growing collaboration with India, even within the QUAD framework, is primarily political and economic and poses no threat to Pakistan’s security. He commended Pakistan’s balanced international approach, despite perceptions shaped by its close ties with China.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, described Pakistan-Japan cooperation as a stabilizing factor amid intensifying global power competition. He advocated strengthening multifaceted ties through political dialogue, cultural exchanges, and technological collaboration. Former Ambassador Farukh Amil further emphasized Japan’s technological leadership and its importance for Pakistan’s economic and security future. He also lauded Japan’s consistent humanitarian support during natural disasters.
The seminar highlighted shared values and interests as a strong foundation for expanding Pakistan-Japan ties, fostering peace and prosperity in the region.