• India and Japan held the third 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi on August 20, 2024.

• The Indian delegation at the talks was headed by Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Japanese team was led by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defence Minister Kihara Minoru.

• The 2+2 dialogue is held between the foreign and defence ministers of two countries.

• India has a 2+2 format dialogue mechanism on strategic and security issues with four countries — the US, Australia, Japan and Russia. 

Highlights of the meeting: 

• The ministers highlighted their common strategic vision towards a free and open Indo-Pacific, that is inclusive, peaceful, prosperous and resilient, as part of the rules-based international order. 

• They reiterated their strong support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality and their full support for the ‘ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)’ which upholds the principles such as openness, transparency, inclusivity, a rules-based framework and respect for international law.

• Both sides marked the 10th anniversary of our Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

• The ministers welcomed the possibilities to further enhance the bilateral security and defence cooperation following the National Security Strategy of Japan issued in December 2022 and recognized such cooperation as an important pillar of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

• The ministers further appreciated the successful completion of the cooperation in the areas of Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV)/Robotics. 

• They appreciated the progress made for the transfer of Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) and related technologies and early signing of related arrangements. The UNICORN will be fitted onboard Indian naval ships.

• India has decided to establish a new Consulate in Fukuoka. The ministers welcomed the impending celebration of India Month in Japan and Japan Month in India in September.

India-Japan relations

• Friendship between the two countries has a long history rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilisational ties. 

• The Japan-India Association set up in 1903 is the oldest international friendship body in Japan.

• After World War II, India did not attend the San Francisco Conference but decided to conclude a separate Peace Treaty with Japan on April 28, 1952, marking the beginning of diplomatic relations. Since then, the relations have matured over the years to cover a wide range of areas of cooperation.

• India-Japan relations were elevated to ‘Global Partnership’ in 2000, ‘Strategic and Global Partnership’ in 2006, and ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ in 2014.

• Japan has joined India-led initiatives such as International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT). 

• India and Japan are also cooperating under Quad framework (Japan, Australia, India & US) and India-Japan-Australia Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI).

• Apart from the annual summits, regular exchanges take place at other high levels including foreign minister, defence minister, and National Security Adviser.

• India-Japan Defence and Security partnership forms an integral pillar of bilateral ties.

• The agreement concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Self-Defence Forces of Japan and the Indian Armed Forces was signed in September 2020.

• Established in December 2017, the ‘Act East Forum’ aims to provide a platform for India-Japan collaboration under the rubric of India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and Japan’s ‘Vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific’.

• Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed in November 2016. The Bill came into force in July 2017 with the completion of internal procedures on both sides. This facilitated participation of Japanese companies in the Indian nuclear energy sector.

• India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CEPA) came into effect from August 1, 2011.

• Bilateral trade totalled $21.96 billion during FY 2022-23. Exports from Japan to India during this period were $16.49 billion and imports were $5.46 billion. 

• India’s primary exports to Japan are petroleum products, organic chemicals, electrical machinery and equipment, non-metallic mineral ware, fish & fish preparations, metalliferous ores & scrap, clothing & accessories, iron & steel products, textile yarn, fabrics and machinery etc. 

• India’s primary imports from Japan are machinery, electrical machinery, iron and steel products, plastic materials, non-ferrous metals, parts of motor vehicles etc.

• India-Japan Energy Dialogue was set up in December 2006 to promote cooperation in the energy sector in a comprehensive manner.

• The first High Speed Rail (HSR) corridor is being implemented from Mumbai to Ahmedabad with technical and financial assistance from government of Japan.

• Six Metro Rail projects are being implemented with technical and financial support from government of Japan.

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