Press Releases
Second Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting
On September 8, commencing at 3:00 p.m., Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Mr. HAMADA Yasukazu, Minister of Defense of Japan, held a Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting with H.E. Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, and H.E. Mr. Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence of India, for approximately two hours in an in-person format in Tokyo. The Joint Statement (English(PDF) 
/ Japanese(PDF)) was issued after the meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Overview
The Ministers welcomed the holding of the second Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting this year, the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and India, following Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio’s visit to India in March and Prime Minister Narenda Modi’s visit to Japan in May. The Ministers discussed the regional and global affairs, bilateral security and defence cooperation, and coordination among like-minded countries, bearing in mind Prime Minister Modi’s possible future visit to Japan as part of the annual mutual visit by the leaders. In view of their respective presidencies of the G7 and G20 next year, they confirmed that both countries will work closely to lead the international community.
2. Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region
- (1)The Ministers confirmed that they will cooperate toward the common goal of realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).” They also reaffirmed that any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force is unacceptable, not only in the Indo-Pacific, but also in any region, and a peaceful resolution based on international law needs to be saught.
- (2)The Ministers discussed the importance of cooperation with ASEAN, and confirmed that they will continue to support ASEAN’s unity and centrality and the importance of concrete cooperation between FOIP and India’s “Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)” and “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).”
3. Bilateral Security Cooperation
- (1)The Ministers confirmed the substantial expansion of Japan-India security and defence cooperation, and concurred to continue to conduct bilateral and multilateral exercises in a multilayered manner.
- (2)The Ministers concurred to continue discussions toward the realization of concrete cooperation in the areas of defence equipment and technology cooperation.
- (3)The Ministers concurred to strengthen cooperation between the Japan Joint Staff and the Indian Integrated Defence Staff and welcomed the coordination to launch the "Joint Service Staff Talks".
- (4)The Ministers welcomed the progress in cooperation among the coast guard authorities, including the Commandant level talks.
- (5)The Ministers welcomed the announcement of the Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of cybersecurity during Prime Minister KISHIDA’s visit to India in March and the holding of the Japan-India Cyber Dialogue in June. The Ministers confirmed that they would continue to enahnce dialogues in the field of economic security, including cyber.
4. Regional and Global Issues
The Ministers exchanged views on regional issues, including the situation in Ukraine, East and South China Seas, North Korea, and South Asia.
[Reference]
November 30, 2019 First Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting (Place: New Delhi)