India-Japan Defense Ties Key to Ensuring a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Govt
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has arrived in New Delhi for the third India-Japan '2+2' dialogue, aimed at reviewing the Indo-Pacific region's situation and exploring opportunities to enhance bilateral strategic ties. The discussions will involve Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, alongside their Japanese counterparts, Kihara Minoru and Kamikawa. "Strengthened India-Japan defence partnership is vital for ensuring a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific in the prevailing global environment", Defence Ministry said.
The two sides are anticipated to discuss expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in response to China's growing military presence in the region. The inaugural dialogue took place in India in 2019, with the second edition held in Japan in 2022. In addition to the '2+2' dialogue, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will hold separate bilateral meetings with Defence Minister Minoru and Foreign Minister Kamikawa.
"During the bilateral talks and '2+2' meeting, the ministers will review the bilateral cooperation and explore new initiatives to further strengthen the engagements between the two countries," the Defence Ministry said in a statement. It said the Ministers will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. "India and Japan share 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership' based on the shared values of democracy, freedom and rule of law", the Ministry said.
Defence has emerged as one of the most important pillars in this relationship, it said. "This visit will further deepen defence cooperation and bring greater depth to the special strategic and global partnership between the two countries", it said. On the '2+2' dialogue, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Substantive discussions covering various spheres of India-Japan multifaceted partnership lie ahead".
The '2+2' dialogue with Japan was established to enhance bilateral security and defence cooperation, adding greater depth to the special strategic and global partnership between the two nations. India maintains the '2+2' ministerial dialogue format with only a select few countries, including the U.S., Australia, and Russia.
