The third India-Japan 2+2 ministerial meeting took place on Tuesday. The focus was on boosting defence cooperation, discussing regional security, and enhancing economic ties. The last meeting was held almost two years ago in Tokyo, in September 2022.
Defence Technology Transfer: Spotlight on “Unicorn”
One of the key topics was the transfer of Japan’s advanced naval antenna, the Nora-50, also known as “Unicorn.” This antenna can make warships more stealthy by combining multiple antennas into one. Both countries agreed to speed up talks to finalise this deal. Minoru Kihara, Japan’s Minister of Defense, emphasised the significance of advancing these talks.
Regional Security: South China Sea and Ukraine
The ministers also discussed security concerns in the South China Sea and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Japan’s foreign and defence ministers on Monday. He stressed that the India-Japan partnership is crucial for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Economic Cooperation: Minerals, Semiconductors, and More
Modi also called for closer ties in critical areas like minerals, semiconductors, and defence manufacturing. Both sides agreed on the need for deeper cooperation in these fields. They discussed expanding joint research, technology exchange, and human resource development.
Quad Alliance: Shared Vision for the Indo-Pacific
The meeting took place ahead of the upcoming Quad Leaders’ Summit, expected to be held in India this year. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Quad, a strategic alliance between India, Japan, the US, and Australia. They emphasised their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Condemning Terrorism: A Unified Stance
In a joint statement, India and Japan strongly condemned terrorism. They called for bringing the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the Pathankot attack, and other incidents to justice. The statement also urged action against all UN-listed terrorist groups like Al Qaeda, ISIS, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
Strengthening Defence Cooperation: Joint Exercises and More
The ministers discussed the need to deepen India-Japan defence cooperation. They talked about participating in more joint defence exercises. Japan’s Kihara mentioned the first joint fighter jet exercise between India and Japan as a positive step. This exercise, named ‘Veer Guardian 2023,’ took place last January.
New Avenues for Technology and Industrial Cooperation
Both sides explored new opportunities for technology and industrial cooperation. They discussed the importance of human resource development, especially in semiconductors. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the need for diversification and de-risking efforts in economic and technology security.
Expanding Diplomatic Presence: New Indian Consulate in Fukuoka
India announced plans to open a new consulate in Fukuoka, Japan. This will be India’s third mission in Japan, reflecting the growing importance of bilateral ties. There are presently five Japanese missions in India.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The 2+2 ministerial meeting underscored the deepening relationship between India and Japan. With shared goals in defence, technology, and regional security, both countries are set to play a key role in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.