Tokyo/UNI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday raised concerns over the Red Sea crisis, saying "maritime safety and security have become particularly pressing concerns for India and Japan."

Speaking at the Raisina Roundtable event by ORF in Tokyo, Dr S Jaishankar said, "To safeguard and secure is no less onerous. Maritime Safety and Security have become particularly pressing concerns. We can see that the Red Sea is witnessing daily casualties and shipping disruptions.'

The minister's remarks came after three crew members were killed in a Houthi missile strike on a cargo ship off southern Yemen.

Houthis claimed responsibility and said their attacks were to support the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The minister added, "As the voice of the global south, India is conscious of the responsibility; our development efforts today span 78 nations across different continents, can India and Japan coordinate in regards to their developmental systems?"

In his address, Jaishankar praised the "special strategic and global partnership" that India and Japan share, and noted that it is vital that the "overall balance" be maintained between both countries.

He raised the points while talking about India and Japan's intent to "meet the challenges facing the global order."

The External Affairs Minister noted that "India is today working on major corridors both to its east and west. They include the IMAC initiative through the Arabian Peninsula and the international north-south transport corridor, and towards the east, the trilateral highway."

He added, "Tthese corridors, once completed, will connect the Atlantic to the Pacific through Asia and India and Japan have converging views about the need for transparent and collaborative connectivity."

EAM noted that as the two powers that are so central to multipolarity in Asia, it is also in our common interest that the overall balance remains in favour of freedom, openness, transparency, and rule-based order."

He, however, added that "the world will watch how we support each other in the shared goal through various relationships and initiatives."

The External Affairs Minister is on a visit to Japan until March 8.

Before his visit to Japan, Jaishankar went to South Korea, where he met top leaders.

He is visiting Japan to attend the 16th India-Japan Foreign Minister’s Strategic Dialogue with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa.

Both leaders are expected to discuss bilateral matters along with regional and global importance, and exchange views on cooperation for a free, inclusive, peaceful, prosperous, and open India-Pacific, a statement by the External Affairs Ministry stated.