India and Japan have agreed to deepen their bilateral defence cooperation in new and emerging domains like space and cyber as part of an aim to consolidate their overall strategic engagement. This was discussed during the seventh Defence Policy Dialogue between India and Japan, where India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conveyed to Japan's Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs, Oka Masami, that India shares Japan's vision for a free, open, secure and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
Singh stressed that both countries must continue to expand the scope of their bilateral cooperation. Oka reiterated Japan's keenness to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation, including collaboration in the defence equipment and technology sector. He also expressed gratitude towards Singh's strong and positive leadership towards strengthening the bilateral defence ties.
The dialogue took place on Wednesday over two weeks after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited India, during which he described the country as an "indispensable partner" of Japan to achieve the ambitious goal of peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
India and Japan have had a strategic and economic partnership since 2000, and in recent years, they have strengthened their cooperation in various domains, including defence. They have also been working together to counterbalance China's growing influence in the region.
The meeting between Singh and Oka is a significant development as it highlights the two countries' shared commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. The Indo-Pacific has emerged as a crucial region in the context of the evolving geopolitical dynamics of the world. As China's assertiveness in the region grows, India and Japan have been working towards ensuring that the region remains free and open, with a rules-based order.
India and Japan have also been collaborating in other areas, including economic and infrastructure development. In recent years, they have worked together on a range of initiatives, including the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor, which seeks to enhance connectivity and promote economic growth in Africa.
Overall, the seventh Defence Policy Dialogue between India and Japan is a significant step towards strengthening their strategic partnership, and it reflects the growing convergence of their interests in the region. As the two countries continue to deepen their cooperation, they are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific.
