In a significant diplomatic development, Japan and India are set to deepen their security and defense cooperation through high-level meetings in New Delhi. Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties. The anticipated two-plus-two dialogue, a platform for comprehensive security discussions, highlights the growing importance of Japan-India relations.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the strategic significance of Japan-India cooperation in regional security and defense. He stressed that enhancing collaboration is crucial for both the Indo-Pacific region’s stability and the broader international community. Modi’s remarks reflect the shared commitment of both nations to ensuring a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, especially in light of China’s increasing influence.
Minister Kamikawa reinforced this sentiment, highlighting Japan and India’s shared responsibility as leading democracies in Asia to uphold peace and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific. Her comments underline the broader strategic alignment between Tokyo and New Delhi and their joint vision for the region’s future.
Defense Minister Kihara expressed Japan’s commitment to continuing and expanding joint military exercises with India. He emphasized the importance of these drills in enhancing interoperability between the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the Indian military. The joint exercises are expected to include multilateral engagements with the participation of the United States and other like-minded nations, reflecting mutual interest in regional security preparedness.
Kihara also indicated Japan’s interest in collaborating with India on defense equipment, including the potential export of surveillance radars used by Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers. This collaboration represents a significant step in deepening defense technology ties between the two nations and enhancing India’s maritime surveillance capabilities.
The upcoming two-plus-two meeting will mark the third such dialogue between Japan and India, following the previous one in 2022. These meetings have become a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship, providing a platform to discuss and coordinate on various security-related issues, including joint military exercises and defense technology cooperation.
Japan’s outreach to India is part of its broader strategy to build strong security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, where China’s assertive actions have raised concerns. By strengthening ties with India, Japan aims to contribute to a more balanced power dynamic in the region, ensuring that no single country can dominate the Indo-Pacific.
Both Japan and India are actively involved in multilateral forums, such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with the United States and Australia, demonstrating their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The discussions during the two-plus-two meeting are expected to complement the broader objectives of the Quad and reinforce strategic alignment among member countries.
In conclusion, the deepening security ties between Japan and India signify a growing partnership that is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific region. Their collaboration is likely to have a lasting impact on regional stability and prosperity, as well as on the global stage.