New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) A free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific is the top priority for both India and Japan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said after the 2+2 talks here today, adding that India will open a new consulate in the city of Fukuoka in order to nurture the growing people-to-people ties.
India and Japan today held the Third 2+2 security talks between their defence and foreign ministers — Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Kihara Minoru and EAM S Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa.
With the talks coming amid more assertive Chinese military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, EAM Jaishankar said that during the meeting the two sides explored the possibility of coordinating their respective security and development assistance where their interests converge.
He said their meetings today were truly productive and forward-looking, adding that the 2+2 format has paved the way for a robust agenda of cooperation on cross-cutting defence and foreign policy issues.
The EAM said the regional and global environment around have evolved considerably since they last met in Tokyo two years ago.
“There is further complexity and volatility in the Indo-Pacific region and the world at large. Our economic landscape is also more complex, making transparency, predictability and resilience an essential part of our security. The world of technology may present new opportunities but they have also thrown up new challenges. Our 2+2 dialogue today was an occasion to share assessments and agree on cooperation in this regard,” he added.
The two sides discussed the unfolding new avenues for technology, research and industrial cooperation, including cooperation in the field of semiconductors.
He said such trust-based collaboration in emerging technologies, including in the field of defence, will progress best when their approaches to technology sharing evolve. “To this end, I requested our Japanese colleagues to look into the regulatory bottlenecks that currently exist,” he added.
“India and Japan are resolute in our opposition to terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. We discussed strengthening our capacity-building cooperation, including on dealing with challenges emanating in the cyber space and through the misuse of digital technologies. We have underlined our interest in deepening information-sharing, and cooperation for protection of critical information infrastructure,” the EAM said.
Lauding Minister Kamikawa’s determined effort to highlight the role of women for peace and security, he announced that India will be holding a first-ever UN Peacekeeping for Women Officers of the Global South Conference in the first half of 2025. “Given Foreign Minister Kamikawa’s leadership on this matter, I extended a special invitation to Japan to join this Conference.”
EAM said that during his meeting with FM Kamikawa, he underlined the need for a united effort as members of the G4 to push for reformed multilateralism.
“This year marks the 10th anniversary of the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership. Our relations have matured since then. We agreed today to task our officials with preparing a new framework for security cooperation. I also shared our desire for a new vision for our overall partnership that orients our relations in line with our evolving national goals and priorities,” the EAM added.
He also expressed appreciation for Japan’s involvement in the development of the North-East region of India through the India-Japan Act East Forum. They also discussed progressing the High Speed railway cooperation.
“Our strategic partnership needs to be anchored in more robust people-to-people engagement. We discussed expanding the flow of skills and talents, as also of students and tourists. Policy changes to enable this are a priority,” he added.
