(Press Release)
May 5, 2025
Ministry of Defense Japan
On May 5, commencing at 11:15 a.m. (local time), for approximately 90 minutes, Minister Nakatani held a Defense Ministerial Meeting with Minister Singh in New Delhi.
- At the outset, Minister Nakatani extended his sincere condolences to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in the Kashmir on 22 April, and stated that Japan is firmly committed to combatting terrorism in cooperation with India and the international community.. On top of that, he stated that he would expect on related countries to act with responsibility for the peace and stability of South Asia.
- Minister Nakatani stated the growing importance and necessity of enhancing cooperation and collaboration in defense between of Japan and India, which share the ideal of realizing peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific based on rule of law, under the recent regional and international situation surrounding both countries is becoming more complex and uncertain rapidly.
- Considering this situation, the ministers concurred the importance to create a large synergy in the Indo-Pacific region by enhancing the collaboration among initiatives led by each country from the defense side. Minister Nakatani suggested to proceed the collaboration as “Japan India (India Japan) Defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region (JIDIP/ IJDIP)” between the both defense authorities from now on, and materialize the specific cooperation and collaboration with under it. As response, Minister Singh welcomed the suggestion, and stated to discuss specifically about the content from now on.
- Under this perspective, the ministers will be discussing on the following items in specific:
a.to expand the cooperation and collaboration among military services, and propose to establish a meeting framework from comprehensive and integrated point of view for coordination and task management.
b.to continue expanding and deepening collaboration in exercises and trainings conducted by both countries including the bilateral exercise “Dharma Guardian”.
c.to collaborate from the aspect of protecting sea lines of communication aiming to ensure the security of sea lanes which is vital for not only Japan and India but also for the region and international community. Moreover, to deepen Japan-India bilateral collaboration in the South East Asia. - The ministers concurred to closely working together to ensure the peace, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.