India, Japan discuss military drills, Indo-Pacific, Ukraine at 2+2 meet; Jaishankar, Rajnath Singh meets Japanese PM

Tokyo, Sept 9: The Defence and Foreign ministers of India and Japan held the second 2+2 ministerial on Thursday where they had a discussion on the regional and global issues of mutual interests and concerns, particularly those in the Indo-Pacific as well as Ukraine. They also discussed expanding military cooperation by holding more joint exercises.

 

 

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said there was “an increasing need” for India and Japan to step up security cooperation. He noted Russia’s war on Ukraine, China’s increasingly assertive actions, including escalating tensions around Taiwan, and North Korean missile and nuclear threats, according to Asahi report.

 

Besides, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, stated, "The participation of Japan for the first time in the multilateral exercise MILAN and operationalization of the Reciprocal Provision of Supply and Services Agreement in March this year are milestones in the progress of defence cooperation between our Forces. We are happy to note that our Air Forces are working closely for early conduct of the inaugural Air Force fighter exercise."

 

 

On the other hand, India's External Affairs Minister, said,"We have a particular responsibility for ensuring a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific. That is done through a range of policies and mechanisms, including cooperation in the Quad framework, utilization of ASEAN platforms and participation in bodies like ReCAAP, Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, etc. Together, we are also poised to take forward the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, amongst others."

 

 

Thursday’s talks were held on the heels of a major Russian multinational military exercise held from Sept. 1 to 7 in its far east in which China and India participated. Tokyo protested to Moscow about the exercise, which included drills on Russian-held islands which Japan also claims. Foreign Ministry officials said Japan warned India against joining drills on the disputed islands and that Indian troops only participated in other areas.

Jaishankar tweeted, "Pleased to call on PM Fumio Kishida at the conclusion of our 2+2 meeting. Underlined the importance of closer coordination of policies and interests of India and Japan at this time." He further added, "Expressed confidence that the vision which he and PM @narendramodi have articulated will be realised early."

 

 

"Delighted to meet Japan’s Prime Minister, Mr. Fumio Kishida in Tokyo. Extended my heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Former Prime Minister, HE Shinzo Abe. India-Japan partnership will have a defining role to play in ensuring peace and stability in the region," Rajnath Singh tweeted.