New Delhi (NVI): In a significant development, India and Japan have signed a defence pact to establish a framework for reciprocal provision of supplies and services between their armed forces, thus enhancing interoperability between the two sides.
Critically, the agreement for Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Armed Forces of India and The Self-Defense Forces of Japan has been signed at a time when China has increased its aggression in the region and created tensions, including at the Line of Actual Control with India in the Ladakh sector.
On 9th September 2020, India ?? & Japan ?? signed an “Agreement on Reciprocal Provision of Supplies & Services between Armed Forces of India & The Self-Defense Forces of Japan”. 1/2
?????https://t.co/Vw7mw1yura@SpokespersonMoD @ModJapan_en @indiannavy @JASDF_PAO @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/42Eiv7kQsy— India in Japanインド大使館 (@IndianEmbTokyo) September 10, 2020
The pact, signed here by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar and Ambassador of Japan Suzuki Satoshi, establishes the “enabling framework for closer cooperation between the Armed Forces of India and Japan in reciprocal provision of supplies and services while engaged in bilateral training activities, United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, Humanitarian International Relief and other mutually agreed activities,” an official statement said.
“The agreement will also enhance the interoperability between the Armed Force of India and Japan thereby further increasing the bilateral defence engagements under the Special Strategic & Global Partnership between the two countries,” it added.
Both India and Japan are facing troubles from China and the two countries have been working on enhancing defence cooperation under bilateral and multilateral formats.
The two countries are already working together under the format of Quad, comprising the US, India, Japan and Australia, to ensure free navigation in the Indo-Pacific region, against the backdrop of growing aggressiveness by China.
