India and Japan agree to enhance security and defence cooperation
India and Japan on Thursday agreed to further enhance their security and defence cooperation, including holding the first Air Force fighter exercises, as they reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based global order that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, amidst China’s aggressive moves in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.
Participating in the second India-Japan 2 2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India and Japan were committed to promoting a rules-based order, ensuring respect for international law and norms, and safeguarding the global commons.
In a joint statement after the meeting, the foreign ministers and defence ministers of the two countries emphasised the need for all countries to seek peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law without resorting to threat or use of force or any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo.
Against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, Mr Jaishankar noted that conflicts and climate events have further aggravated the global economic situation, creating deep anxieties in respect of energy and food security.