Fifth generation internet technology — 5G — is emerging as an important tool of strategic cooperation. Many countries across the globe are in the middle of intense discussions in deciding vendors and ensuring cybersecurity in their 5G services.
The Chinese telecommunication giants Huawei and ZTE are leading the 5G technology market. However, many have also raised severe concern over the security issues around their 5G service. Many countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and some European countries have blacklisted Huawei and ZTE Network from participating in the 5G selection process. However, India and Japan remain unsure about whether to exclude the two Chinese firms from their 5G vendor selection process.
The two countries have also stepped up cooperation on information and communications technology (ICT) and cybersecurity to enhance joint efforts around 5G technology, as well as security of information infrastructure. In the latest development in this direction, the two countries have reached an agreement on ICT cooperation and signed a Memorandum of Understanding through a video conference on Jan. 15. In the wake of increased tensions with China, India-Japan cooperation in the ICT sector is seen as a counter-move to China’s growing influence in the telecommunications and digital infrastructure.
In India, defense experts fear allowing Huawei and ZTE’s 5G technology in India would seriously compromise the entire command and communication structure of the Indian military. Since the national security and economy depends on a shared, interoperable infrastructure, and because many national security communications systems ride on top of commercial infrastructure, cybersecurity experts fear that 5G equipment imported from China would seriously jeopardize not only Indian digital infrastructure but also its defense cooperation with friendly foreign countries.
For example, the India-United States Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement along with the Communic ..
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