Recently, India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in Tokyo under which India’s Defence Minister and External Affairs Minister to meet their Japanese counterparts.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait during which China lobbed five missiles in Japan’s exclusive economic zone which was described by Japan as “a serious problem that affects our national security and the safety of our citizens”.
Major areas of discussion during the Ministerial meeting:
The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment Rules-based global order that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations:
Indian side expressed its support to work towards enhanced security and defence cooperation with Japan on the line of Japan’s commitment to reinforce Japan’s defence capabilities .
Both nations agree to launch the Joint Service Staff talks between the Japan Joint Staff and the Indian Integrated Defence Staff.
building on existing bilateral and multilateral exercises including “Dharma Guardian” (ground forces), “JIMEX” and “Malabar” (navies), and, an earlier decision to conduct the inaugural India-Japan fighter exercise between the two air forces.
India welcomes the Japan’s participation in multilateral exercise MILAN and the operationalization of the Agreement Concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services (ACSA) between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Indian Armed Forces in the exercise.
So, MILAN 2022 will have the first-ever participation from all the Quad nations, as well as France and South Korea.
Japan is expected to provide thrust to cooperation in defence equipment and technology, covering areas such as Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) and Robotics and manufacturing of drones where Japan has considerable strengths.
Recently, Japan’s largest drone manufacturer, ACSL, has already established a joint venture in India with Delhi-based Arc Ventures.
Both the nation committed to a common strategic goal of achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific, that is inclusive and resilient, based on the rule of law and free from coercion.
The Ministers also reiterated their strong support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality and their full support for the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)” which upholds the principles such as the rule of law, openness, freedom, transparency, and inclusiveness.
Way forward:
Both nations are marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations this year which is instrumental in re-energising ties and also attributable to the long-term vision shared by the leaders on both sides such as ensuring cooperate for peace, stability and prosperity of Indo-Pacific and work together for a rules-based and inclusive world order.
India’s emergence as the fifth-largest as well as the fastest-growing economy in the world will definitely ensure a further quantum leap in strategic ties with Japan.
