India, Japan to hold maiden 2+2 ministerial dialogue today on defence and security

The inaugural meeting of India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) between India and Japan will be held in Delhi on Saturday, November 30. Boosting Defence and security, amongst other issues of mutual interest are expected to be discussed between the two sides. The Indian delegation will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Japan's Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono will lead the Japanese side.

Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue

During the visit, the Japanese ministers will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning and Jaishankar later in the evening. The meeting is being held in pursuance of the decision taken by PM Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018, with an aim to institute a Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue for further deepening bilateral security and defence cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

"The 2+2 meeting would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the status of and exchange further views on strengthening defence and security cooperation between India and Japan so as to provide greater depth to the 'India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership'," the statement added.

The two sides will also exchange views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and their respective efforts under India's 'Act East Policy' and Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision' for achieving their shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress to realise a better future for the people of the two countries and the region.

(With inputs from wires)