Focus on China, Japan and India to strengthen defense ties

Singh and Jashankar held a 2+2 ministerial meeting in Tokyo with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defense Minister Yasukata Hamada in Tokyo, where they expressed support for enhanced security and defense cooperation.

“The Japanese side expressed its determination to study all options necessary for defense, including the so-called ‘counter-attack capability’, while expressing its determination to fundamentally strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities over the next five years and to ensure a substantial increase in the defense budget that Japan needs to influence it Recognizing Japan’s determination to strengthen its defense capabilities, the Indian side expressed its support for efforts to strengthen security and defense cooperation,” said the joint statement after the 2+2 ministerial meeting.

The statement made no reference to China’s bellicose behavior in the region, but said: “The ministers acknowledged the need for global cooperation more than ever to address growing security challenges, and reaffirmed their commitment to building an environment that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity, A rules-based global order. And underscoring the need for all nations to seek peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, rather than resorting to the threat or use of force or any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo.”

“During today’s discussions, we have noted the progress made in cooperation and exchanges between the two militaries. We share a desire to further expand the scope and complexity of bilateral exercises. We have established between all three departments and the Coast Guard. Staff talks and high-level dialogues have been held. I am glad that we have now reached an agreement on the staff talks of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Integrated Defense Staff of India,” Singh said.

“Japan’s participation in the Milan multilateral exercise for the first time and the implementation of a reciprocal supply and services agreement in March this year is a milestone in the progress of defense cooperation between our forces. We are pleased to note that our air forces are working closely together to enable early First Air Force fighter exercise,” he said.

“Enhancing defence equipment and technology cooperation between India and Japan is one of our key priority areas. During our meeting today, I have the opportunity to propose engagement in emerging and key technology sectors. I also invite Japanese defence companies to look for investments in Indian defence Corridor opportunity,” he said.

Jaishankar tagged Coronavirus disease The pandemic and “ongoing conflict” as “new challenges” and the need to address them. “We have recently witnessed very serious developments, especially since our last meeting in 2019. The Covid pandemic and ongoing conflict require us to address these new challenges,” he said.

The 2+2 dialogue comes more than five months after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited India for the annual India-Japan summit.

The joint statement said the ministers underscored their commitment to “the shared strategic goal of 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 ASEANTheir solidarity and centrality, and their full support for the ‘ASEAN Indo-Pacific View’ that upholds the principles of rule of law, openness, freedom, transparency and inclusiveness. “

Stressed that ministers had “frank and fruitful” discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest and concern, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region and Ukraineit said they also reaffirmed their commitment to regional and global security challenges.

“We had extensive discussions on ways to strengthen maritime cooperation, including maritime domain awareness. Both sides agreed that a strong India-Japan relationship is essential for building a free, open, rules-based and inclusive India based on national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Pacific region is very important. India’s Indo-Pacific initiative has many things in common with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific initiative. India also has maritime cooperation with regional partners, which is in line with our inclusion of security and growth for all in the region The vision is aligned,” Singh said.

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Faced with such challenges, the case for India and Japan to cooperate more closely in foreign policy and security becomes stronger, Jashankar said. “Increasing our foreign policy coordination is critical to realising the real benefits of a substantial convergence of our interests and prospects. They are clearly focused on the Indo-Pacific but extend to many other regional, global and multilateral platforms as well. The exchange of views on key situations is particularly useful. At the same time, the two sides are constantly deepening defense exchanges and exploring areas of practical cooperation.”