New Delhi, 20 August (H.S.): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday welcomed Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi and held bilateral talks with him. The two sides welcomed the steady strengthening of defence cooperation under the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further enhancing defence ties under their leadership to realise a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

In a joint statement issued after the bilateral meeting, the two ministers said that amid growing tensions around the world, it was important for India and Japan to share assessments of the regional and international security environment.

They strongly opposed any unilateral action that could obstruct freedom and safety of navigation and overflight, as well as any attempt to alter the status quo through coercion or pressure.

The two ministers reiterated their commitment to strengthening maritime security cooperation and signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Japanese and Indian Ministries of Defence on maritime security cooperation. The memorandum will provide a framework for further expanding collaboration between the two countries in the maritime security domain.

The ministers agreed to accelerate concrete maritime security cooperation aimed at addressing strategic and operational requirements. They said the two sides should explore opportunities for joint development in naval shipbuilding and design by leveraging Japan's technological expertise and India's manufacturing capabilities.

They also agreed that both countries should make greater use of each other's strengths in defence shipbuilding and related fields. The ministers further agreed to advance the mutual provision of ship repair facilities, including the completion of arrangements for ship repairs in the near future.

The two ministers welcomed the continued expansion of bilateral exercises conducted by Japan and India, including the Japan-India Army Exercise Dharma Guardian and the Japan-India Maritime Exercise JIMEX.

They particularly welcomed the steady progress in preparations for the Veer Guardian air exercise between the two countries scheduled to take place this year. For the first time, fighter aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force will visit India as part of the exercise.

With the objective of further strengthening cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries, the ministers also agreed to promote exchanges between their respective Special Operations Forces and advance cooperation with India's Integrated Theatre Commands following their establishment.

Rajnath Singh welcomed Japan's recent review of its framework for the transfer of defence equipment and technology and expressed hope that Japan would continue to contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.

The two ministers also welcomed the first-ever trilateral naval exercise involving Japan, India and Indonesia, which was conducted in February this year.

With the objective of taking a comprehensive view of the Indo-Pacific and jointly contributing to peace and stability in the region and beyond, the ministers agreed to deepen cooperation with third countries through high-level exchanges, exercises and other necessary initiatives.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar