The foreign and defense ministers of India and Japan convened in New Delhi on Tuesday for high-level security discussions, aiming to strengthen their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region amidst growing concerns over China’s assertive economic and military activities. This meeting marked the third round of the “two-plus-two” talks between the two nations, a dialogue format that brings together their foreign and defense ministers, first launched in 2019.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met with their Japanese counterparts in discussions that were described as “wide-ranging,” focusing on regional and global issues, with a particular emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region. A joint statement released after the talks highlighted the review of bilateral cooperation and the shared commitment to addressing common challenges in the region.
“As we both step forward into a more volatile and unpredictable world, there is a need for reliable partners with whom there are substantial convergences. As a result, we have consciously sought to facilitate each other’s endeavours and comprehend each other’s objectives,” Jaishankar stated ahead of the talks.
The meeting underscores the deepening strategic relationship between India and Japan, both of which are members of the Quad alliance, along with the United States and Australia. This partnership has rapidly intensified in response to China’s rising influence and activities in the Indo-Pacific.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met with the Japanese foreign and defense ministers during their visit, further cementing the importance of these talks.
In recent years, India and Japan have significantly expanded their defense collaboration, particularly in the areas of defense equipment and technology transfers. Japan is only the second country, after the United States, with which India engages in the “two-plus-two” dialogue format, highlighting the importance of this bilateral relationship.
The last “two-plus-two” meeting between India and Japan was held in Tokyo in 2022. The two nations also share robust economic ties, with bilateral trade valued at $20.57 billion in the fiscal year 2021-2022. Japan has been a key supporter of infrastructure development in India, including major projects such as the high-speed rail initiative.
The continued focus on security and defense cooperation, coupled with strong economic engagement, reflects the growing strategic partnership between India and Japan as they navigate the complexities of the Indo-Pacific region.
