Union Minister Rajnath Singh met with Japan’s Minister of Defense, Mr Kihara Minoru, during a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on August 20 on the sidelines of the India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
Rajnath Singh posted his interaction on X and wrote, “I had a very good meeting with the Defence Minister of Japan, General Nikatani, in Vientiane, Lao PDR. I’m confident that our partnership will play a significant role in ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.”
Had a very good meeting with the Defence Minister of Japan, General Nikatani in Vientiane, Lao PDR. I’m confident that our partnership will play a significant role in ensuing free, open and rules-based Indo Pacific region. pic.twitter.com/GOQBAFbdia
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 22, 2024
During the meeting, the Defence Ministers reviewed the existing defence cooperation activities and discussed ways to enhance further cooperation.
The two Ministers reviewed the defence and security pillars of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and contributing to regional peace.
The Ministers welcomed the growing diversity and frequency of defence exercises and exchanges between the two countries and undertook to enhance the scope and complexity of these engagements. They committed to giving a boost to further widen the scope in the field of Defence Equipment and Technological Cooperation, along with enhanced cooperation in critical and emerging technology domains.
The two Ministers discussed further opportunities for industrial cooperation between India and Japan, focusing on Make-in-India and enhancing the partnership in co-production and co-development.
Singh highlighted that India has envisioned a ‘Viksit Bharat’ when the nation enters 2047, completing 100 years of independence. He said that building domestic defence capabilities is an integral part of this vision, adding that partnering in Defence technologies and industry with Japan will be a key to achieving the goal. Both ministers committed to work together to formulate a vision for this partnership to realise the objectives for India in 2047.