Indo-Japan Relationship Very Important For Free And Open Indo-Pacific: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during two-plus-two dialogue on Thursday said that we are pursuing a Special Strategic and Global Partnership and consensus with Japan is very important for a free, open, rule-based and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Singh along with EAM S. Jaishankar was participating in the second edition of two-plus-two ministerial dialogue in Tokyo with Japanese counterparts Hamada Yasukazu and Hayashi Yoshimasa respectively.

During the 90-minute-long meeting, Defence Minister said that the progress in the military to military cooperation and exchanges between India and Japan is notable and has a common desire to further increase the scope and complexities of our bilateral exercises.

He also said that the participation of Japan for the first time in the multilateral exercise, MILAN and we are happy to note that our Air Forces are working closely on the early conduct of the inaugural Air Force fighter exercise.

According to him, there is wide consensus on both sides that a strong India-Japan relationship is very important for a free, open, rule-based and inclusive Indo-Pacific based upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. 

India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) share many commonalities. India has also developed maritime cooperation with regional partners in consonance with our inclusive vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

India’s relationship with ASEAN has emerged as a critical cornerstone of our foreign policy. Through ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Plus, both India and Japan are working together with ASEAN and other Plus countries for strengthening cooperation across domains including maritime security, HADR, Peace Keeping Operations and others, Singh added. 

Earlier this morning, Singh also paid tribute to Japan's Self Defence Forces (SDF) personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. “My tributes to Japan’s Self Defense Forces personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty,” he tweeted.