Key India-Japan '2+2' Dialogue Held to Boost Strategic Ties Amid Indo-Pacific Tensions

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defence Minister Kihara Minoru met with Indian counterparts to discuss regional security, focusing on Indo-Pacific stability and bilateral strategic ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the importance of this partnership for promoting peace and prosperity in the region.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa arrived on Monday to participate in the third India-Japan '2+2' dialogue. The meeting is expected to review the Indo-Pacific situation and broaden bilateral strategic ties.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will hold discussions with their Japanese counterparts, Kihara Minoru and Kamikawa, on Tuesday.

'Strengthened India-Japan defence partnership is vital for ensuring a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific in the prevailing global environment,' stated India's defence ministry.

The talks are set to explore further cooperation in response to China's growing military assertiveness in the region. Meanwhile, the Japanese ministers met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi posted on X, expressing delight over meeting Kamikawa and Kihara ahead of the 3rd India-Japan 2+2 dialogue. He emphasized the significant role the India-Japan partnership plays in ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

The dialogue initially started in 2019 in India, with the second round held in Japan in 2022. Besides the '2+2' dialogue, Singh and Jaishankar will also conduct separate bilateral talks with Minoru and Kamikawa.

'During the meetings, the ministers will review bilateral cooperation and explore new initiatives to strengthen engagements between the two countries,' stated the defence ministry. The discussions will also cover regional and global issues of mutual interest.

India and Japan share a 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership' grounded in shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Defence has emerged as a crucial pillar of this relationship.

This visit is anticipated to deepen defence cooperation and add depth to the special strategic and global partnership between India and Japan. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted that substantial discussions covering various aspects of the multifaceted India-Japan partnership lie ahead.

The '2+2' dialogue with Japan was established to deepen bilateral security and defence cooperation. India maintains this ministerial format with only a few countries, including the US, Australia, and Russia.