New Delhi: India and Japan at a key bilateral meeting in Tokyo Monday discussed ways to deepen cooperation in emerging domains, including defence industrial collaboration, technological innovation, cyber security, space and other areas of shared strategic interest, officials said.
Both sides also expressed satisfaction with the “growing convergence” between the two countries on regional and global security issues, and agreed to continue working closely in the Indo-Pacific, reiterating their commitment to promoting a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region “founded on respect for international law”.
The two sides held their eighth Defence Policy Dialogue in Tokyo Monday, India’s defence ministry said in a statement.
The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, while the Japanese delegation was led by Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs, Kano Koji.
The two countries held comprehensive discussions on the prevailing regional and global security environment and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, the statement said.
“The dialogue reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral defence engagements, including military-to-military exchanges, cooperation between joint headquarters, maritime cooperation, defence exercises, capacity building, defence equipment and technology cooperation, including maritime technology, and enhanced institutional interactions,” it said.
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The two delegations also discussed ways to deepen cooperation in emerging domains, including defence industrial collaboration, technological innovation, cyber security, space, and other areas of shared strategic interest, the officials said.
The key meeting followed soon after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to India from July 1 to 3 for the 16th India-Japan annual summit.
It was Takaichi’s first official visit to India.
During the meeting in Tokyo, both sides also reviewed the significant progress made in bilateral defence cooperation since the previous Defence Policy Dialogue, and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, the officials said.
Both sides welcomed the “steady expansion” of defence cooperation and underscored the importance of maintaining regular high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms.
“They discussed the probable outcomes of the forthcoming ministerial visits, including 2+2, later this year,” the defence ministry said.
Defence Secretary Singh appreciated Japan’s continued engagement with India in the defence sector and highlighted the importance of strengthening practical cooperation under the framework of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Kano Koji reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to further expanding defence ties with India across priority areas, the officials said.
Earlier in the day, the defence secretary called on Japanese Minister of Defence, Shinjiro Koizumi, and conveyed the greetings of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Both sides reaffirmed the “growing momentum” of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, the statement said.
He also presented an invite from Rajnath Singh to the Japanese defence minister for his visit to India at the earliest opportunity.
The defence secretary commenced his visit by laying a wreath at the Self-Defense Forces Memorial Stone in Tokyo, paying tribute to the members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of their nation.
“The visit underscored the growing and deepening defence ties, mutual respect, and shared commitment of India and Japan towards peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” the defence ministry said.
