Joint Statement of the Third Japan-India Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting (2+2)

Key Chapter Title List

1. Meeting Basic Information and Participants
2. Commitment to Maintaining International Order Based on the UN Charter
3. Vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy and ASEAN Centrality
4. Discussion on Regional and Global Issues and Quad Cooperation
5. Pathways to Strengthen Bilateral Security and Defense Cooperation
6. Dialogue Framework and Cooperation Progress on Cross-Domain Security Issues
7. Advancement of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda
8. People-to-People Exchanges and Consular Institution Development
9. Joint Condemnation of Terrorism and Violent Extremism
10. Progress in Defense Cooperation and Military Exercises
11. Cooperation on Defense Equipment, Technology, and Third-Party Security Assistance
12. Revision of the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation and Future Meeting Arrangements

Document Introduction

On August 20, 2024, the third Japan-India Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2) was held in New Delhi. Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru participated alongside Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The outcomes of the meeting were formally released as a Joint Statement. As democratic nations sharing common values, the core objectives of this meeting were to strengthen the rules-based international order, address contemporary security challenges, and deepen the Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

The statement reaffirmed both countries' adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes, and opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo. At the strategic level in the Indo-Pacific region, both sides emphasized building a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and resilient regional order, firmly supporting ASEAN unity and centrality, and fully recognizing the core principles of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Simultaneously, the two countries affirmed the value of cooperation within the Quad framework and committed to further advancing related collaboration based on the consensus from the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Tokyo in July 2024.

Defense and security cooperation was a key focus of the statement. Both sides reviewed progress made since September 2022 under multi-tiered dialogue frameworks, including cross-domain cooperation such as the Defense Policy Dialogue, the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, and the Cyber Dialogue. They also planned to expand into new dialogue areas like space, maritime affairs, and African affairs, while deepening consultations in economic security and strategic trade. Regarding military cooperation, both sides appreciated achievements such as the first visit of Japanese fighter aircraft to India to participate in a multilateral Indian Air Force exercise, the inaugural Japan-India Air Force Exercise 'Guardian Shield-2023', and the accomplishment of bilateral exercises across all three services throughout 2023. They committed to continuing bilateral and multilateral military exercises, including the Japan-India Maritime Exercise 'Dharma Guardian' and Exercise MALABAR.

The statement outlined specific directions for defense equipment and technology cooperation, including the completion of cooperation in the Unmanned Ground Vehicle/Robotics field, the transfer of technology and signing of agreements related to the Unified Complex Antenna (UNICORN), and exploring cooperation for ship maintenance within India. Furthermore, both countries agreed to revise the 2008 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation to align with current priorities and reached consensus on issues such as UN Security Council reform and coordination on third-party security assistance.

In the areas of non-traditional security and people-to-people exchanges, both sides condemned all forms of terrorism and violent extremism, called for bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai 26/11 and Pathankot attacks to justice, and demanded action against UN-listed terrorist organizations and terrorism financing channels. Additionally, India plans to establish a new Consulate in Fukuoka, and both sides will organize events like 'India Month' and 'Japan Month' to further promote people-to-people exchanges, providing support for the strategic partnership. The statement concluded by confirming that Prime Minister Modi will visit Japan for the next annual summit, and the next 2+2 Ministerial Meeting will be held in Japan.