India and Japan agreed yesterday to bolster defence and security ties and backed a “common strategic vision” of a free and open Indo-Pacific - a region where both countries have troubled relations with China.
Foreign and defence ministers of both countries held talks under the so-called ‘India-Japan 2+2’ dialogue in New Delhi, the third such bilateral engagement in five years. The ministers discussed progress on the transfer of battleship communication antennas and related technology from Japan to India, according to a joint statement. The move would mark Japan’s first export of defence equipment and technology transfer to New Delhi under a 2015 pact, as Tokyo seeks to strengthen its defence industry.
Economic and political ties between India and Japan have grown. The nations are part of the Quad security grouping with the United States and Australia, seen as a counter to China’s influence in the region.
Last year, Japan and India, the world’s third and fifth largest economies respectively, launched a $600mn joint fund for low carbon emission projects. Bilateral trade was worth $22.85bn in the 2023/24 fiscal year.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shakes hand with his Japanese counterpart Minoru Kihara before the guard of honour ceremony in New Delhi yesterday.
