Japan-India Relations
Third Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting
On August 20, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Mr. KIHARA Minoru, Minister of Defense of Japan, who are visiting Delhi, India, held the third 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 120 minutes from 6:10 p.m. until 8:05 p.m. local time. The overview of the meeting is as follows. A Joint Statement was issued after the meeting.
1 Overview
The Ministers welcomed the holding of the third Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting in the year marking the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the "Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership." The Ministers discussed cooperation toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”, bilateral security and defence cooperation, and regional and global issues, bearing in mind Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Japan as part of the annual mutual visit between the two countries, and concurred to continue to work closely together.
2 Cooperation towards realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific
- As two democratic countries that share common values, the Ministers confirmed that they will further cooperate toward realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”. They also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and strengthening a rules-based international order founded on the principles of the UN Charter, respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes without resorting to the threat or use of force and emphasized the need for all countries to refrain from any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo. From this perspective, the Ministers concurred on promoting cooperation, including within the Quad.
- The Ministers also discussed the importance of cooperation with ASEAN and reaffirmed the two nations’ continued support for ASEAN unity and centrality, as well as the importance of concrete cooperation with the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).”
3 Security and Defence Cooperation
- In light of the importance of strengthening security and defence cooperation between Japan and India, which share values and principles, amid the increasingly severe international situation, the Ministers concurred on the revision of the "Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between Japan and India" which was issued in 2008.
- The Ministers concurred on the importance of conducting bilateral and multilateral exercises in a multilayered manner. They also welcomed the participation of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighters in the inaugural multilateral exercise "Tarang Shakti", hosted by the Indian Air Force.
- The Ministers confirmed that they would enhance cooperation in the field of economic security and work together in areas including cyber and space.
- The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of bilateral cooperation in the areas of defence equipment and technology. They also valued the progress made in coordinating the realization of the transfer of the Unified Complex Radio Antenna (“UNICORN”) and concurred on promoting future cooperation in defence equipment and technology.
- In addition, the Ministers welcomed the continuing of considerations among the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Indian Navy regarding ship maintenance in India.
- The Ministers concurred on working together to materialize cooperation in WPS.
4 Regional and Global Issues
The Ministers exchanged views on regional issues, including the situation in the East and South China Seas, North Korea, South Asia, Ukraine and the Middle East.
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