India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue: Strengthening Strategic Ties

Overview of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

• Third India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in New Delhi on August 20, 2024.
• Participants: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar; Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa.
• Aim: To review bilateral cooperation and explore new initiatives to strengthen engagement.
• Focus on exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
• Previous dialogues held in 2019 (India) and 2022 (Japan).

Bilateral Relations and Strategic Partnership

• India and Japan share a 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership'.
• Partnership based on shared values of democracy, freedom, and rule of law.
• Defence has emerged as a crucial pillar in the relationship.
• Strengthened partnership vital for ensuring a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
• Dialogue aims to deepen defence cooperation and enhance overall bilateral ties.
• Areas of potential collaboration include technical cooperation, defence industry, and semiconductors.

Prime Minister Modi's Meeting  with Japanese Ministers

• PM Modi met with Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru before the dialogue.
• Meeting lasted approximately 65 minutes.
• Modi emphasized the importance of bolstering security and defense cooperation.
• Expressed desire to solidify the "Special Strategic and Global Partnership".
• Japanese ministers acknowledged shared responsibility for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
• Interest in "co-creating" innovative solutions to global challenges expressed.

Indo-Pacific Security and Regional Concerns

• Dialogue expected to focus on expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Addressing China's increasing military assertiveness in the area.
• Review of the current situation in the Indo-Pacific.
• Exploration of opportunities to expand bilateral strategic ties.
• Emphasis on joint training and defense equipment cooperation.
• Both nations committed to contributing to regional peace and stability.