On Thursday, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that Japan is India’s natural partner in its quest for peace, prosperity, and stability in a free and open Indo-Pacific. The EAM participated in the 16th India-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue along with his Japanese counterpart Kamikawa Yoko.
Japan, India’s Natural Partner
Jaishankar noted that India sees Japan as a natural partner in its journey of development and transformation. He added that as two major powers in the Indo-Pacific with shared values, histories, and interests, New Delhi and Tokyo have strong interests in the region's security.
A great meeting with Japanese FM @Kamikawa_Yoko, as we co-chaired the 16th 🇮🇳 🇯🇵 FMs Strategic Dialogue in Tokyo today.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 7, 2024
Pleased to note the steady progress of our bilateral partnership in different domains. Discussed new and ambitious areas of expansion, including emerging… pic.twitter.com/qo1CdXqwcj
Jaishankar highlighted the significance of 2024 in India-Japan ties, as it marks the 10th anniversary of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Cooperation between “India and Japan has a world of possibilities,” he said, highlighting areas of global governance reform, transnational crimes, supply chain disruptions, and the development aspirations of the Global South as possible areas for the two nations to work together.
Defence Cooperation
The two diplomats acknowledged the progress made by both countries in defence and security cooperation. In the joint statement, Jaishankar mentioned that the Indian Army and the Japanese Self-Defense Force are conducting a joint exercise — Dharma Guardian — in Rajasthan, coinciding with the meeting.
He noted that the recently activated reciprocal collaboration framework allows the three branches of India's military and coast guard to engage more effectively with their Japanese counterparts. The two sides also explored potential cooperation in areas such as joint operations, cyber, and space. Furthermore, they assessed the progress in the Defense Equipment and Technology Cooperation framework.
Economic Cooperation
Jaishankar said that India sees a lot of potential for a quantum boost in Japanese investment into India, particularly from the small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMEs). In this regard, they discussed possibilities in the semiconductor ecosystem, green technologies and digital payments during the meeting.
The EAM also remarked that the Indian government is dedicated to constantly improving the infrastructure environment. He stressed the need for timely completion of projects such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Railway, India’s first Shinkansen project.
Japanese Development in India's Northeast
Jaishankar welcomed Japan's role in the development of the Indian Northeast, saying it will be vital in transforming the region's connectivity and industrial landscape. He emphasised that it would benefit India and Japan as well as neighbouring countries.
Both diplomats also agreed to cooperate in development partnerships in third countries through their related agencies.
Moreover, they vowed to extend the India-Japan Year of Tourism Exchanges to another year in 2024, with the theme “Connecting the Himalayas with Mount Fuji.”
Jaishankar also spoke at the Nikkei Forum on the India-Japan partnership and met late PM Shinzo Abe’s wife, Akie Abe, in Tokyo.