India and Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to set up India Japan Act East Forumto enhance connectivity and promote developmental projects in Northeast India.

• It was one of the 15 major agreements signed between both countries during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to India for the 12th Indo-Japan annual summit.

All about India Japan Act East Forum:

• The purpose of forum is to converge India’s Act East Policy with Japan’s Free and Open Asia-Pacific strategy in the backdrop of China’s One Belt One Road initiative.
• It will enhance connectivity and promote developmental projects in India’s Northeast region in an efficient and effective manner.
• It can complement India’s connectivity initiatives in Bangladesh, Myanmar and beyond, besides BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Motor Vehicle Agreements.