New Delhi, Jul 13 (NVI): India and Japan on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen bilateral defence cooperation and promote a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region during the eighth India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue held in Tokyo.
The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, while Japan was represented by Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs Kano Koji.
According to an official statement, the two sides reviewed progress in bilateral defence cooperation since the previous dialogue and reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
The discussions covered the regional and global security environment as well as the full spectrum of bilateral defence engagements, including military-to-military exchanges, cooperation between joint headquarters, maritime security, defence exercises, capacity building, and defence equipment and technology cooperation.
The two countries also explored ways to expand collaboration in emerging domains such as defence industrial cooperation, technological innovation, cyber security and space.
Both sides welcomed the steady expansion of defence ties and stressed the need to maintain regular high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms. They also discussed preparations and expected outcomes of the forthcoming ministerial engagements, including the India-Japan 2+2 dialogue later this year.
The two delegations reiterated their commitment to working closely in the Indo-Pacific and emphasised that the region should remain free, open and rules-based, founded on respect for international law.
On the sidelines of the dialogue, Singh called on Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and conveyed greetings from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He also extended an invitation to the Japanese defence minister to visit India at the earliest opportunity.
Earlier, the Defence Secretary laid a wreath at the Self-Defense Forces Memorial Stone in Tokyo to pay tribute to members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who laid down their lives in service of the nation.
The Defence Ministry said the visit reflected the growing depth of India-Japan defence ties and the two countries’ shared commitment to peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.(NVI)
