Finance
On Friday, India and Japan discussed ways to improve their defense cooperation.
The conversations took place during a meeting between India’s Ambassador to Japan, Nagma Mallick, and Japanese Defense Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi.
“Ambassador Malik paid a courtesy call on Minister of Defence Shinjiro Koizumi and exchanged views on opportunities to further strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries,” the Indian Embassy in Japan posted on X.
Koizumi stated that defence cooperation between India and Japan is essential for both nations and for the peace and stability of the region and the world.
“On August 7, Defence Minister Koizumi received a courtesy call from Malik, the Indian Ambassador to Japan. The defence cooperation between Japan and India, which is based on the Indo-Pacific, is essential not only for both countries but also for the peace and stability of the region and the world. The Ministry of Defence and the Self-Defense Forces will further deepen defence cooperation between Japan and India,” Japan’s Ministry of Defence wrote on X.
On July 16, Koizumi attended a reception at the residence of Ambassador Mallick, with both sides pledging to strengthen defence ties between the two nations.
“Attended a reception at the Indian Ambassador’s Residence tonight. Pledged with Ambassador Nagma Mohammadi Malik to strengthen Japan-India defence ties,” Koizumi posted on X.
On July 13, India and Japan conducted the 8th Defense Policy Dialog in Tokyo, where they explored ways to strengthen cooperation in new sectors such as defense industrial partnership, technical innovation, cyber security, space, and other areas of common strategic interest.
The two sides also expressed pleasure with India and Japan’s growing convergence on regional and global security concerns, and they decided to continue cooperating closely in the Indo-Pacific, according to the Ministry of Defense.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to promote a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific area that upholds international law. Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh headed the Indian team to the meeting, while Kano Koji, Vise Minister of Defense for International Affairs, led the Japanese delegation. Both sides discussed the prevailing regional and global security environment and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
“The dialogue reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral defence engagements, including military-to-military exchanges, co-operation between joint headquarters, maritime cooperation, defence exercises, capacity building, defence equipment and technology cooperation including maritime technology, and enhanced institutional interactions,” the Ministry of Defence stated.
During his tour to Japan, Rajesh Kumar Singh visited Shinjiro Koizumi and conveyed Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s greetings. The two sides reiterated the growing momentum of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Source: IANS
