Japan and India held a foreign and defense ministers’ meeting (2+2) on the 20th (local time) and decided to strengthen cooperation in space and cyber, Kyodo News reported.
It is interpreted as part of efforts to check China, which is growing its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Geira made the remarks in a joint statement issued after meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in the Indian capital New Delhi.
This 2+2 meeting is the third time since the two countries first held it in November 2019.
In a joint statement, the two countries also agreed to discuss the revision of the ‘Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation’ signed in 2008 with China, which is strengthening its movement to enter the sea.
If this happens, the two countries will be able to sign a revised joint declaration during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan, which could take place at the end of this year, the news agency said.
In a joint statement, the two countries called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict that does not rely on intimidation or use of force without directly naming China, and stressed the need for all (relevant) countries to refrain from attempting to unilaterally change the status quo.
The two countries also agreed to raise both countries’ responsibilities for the Quad, a security consultative body composed of four countries: the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, and to continue military exercises not only between the two countries but also with other members of the Quad.
The Quad is evaluated as a security consultative body to check China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
In a joint statement, the two countries also agreed to speed up cooperation in defense equipment and technology, referring to progress related to plans to relocate the communication antenna ‘Unicorn’ similar to that mounted on a new Japanese frigate.
If the unicorn is actually transferred, it will be the first case under the Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer Treaty signed by the two countries in 2015, the news agency noted.
The news agency added that Japan and India have recently become closer under a common vision to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOJUORNAL
