Japan Enhances Defense Ties with India

Minister of Defense, Gen Nakatani, made a visit to India and had a meeting with Indian Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi on May 5th. The ministers reconfirmed expansion of joint practices by both forces and agreed on establishing a discussion body for security consultation. Considering sober stance of U.S. President Donald Trump on Asian security, Japan accelerates its effort for India to stay in a framework against advance of China. 

In the meeting with Singh, Nakatani expressed a heartfelt condolence to the victims in terrorist attack in Kashmir on April 22nd. More than twenty Indians were killed by gunmen in Indian-administered Kashmir, and the United States and European Union denounced the terrorism. Two days ffter the meeting of defense ministers, India launched strikes on Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, causing 26 deaths. China expressed regret over India’s military strikes.

 

Japan recognizes India as an important partner for security in Indo-Pacific region. “As regional and international situation is rapidly developing and increasingly uncertain, importance and necessity for Japan and India, which share common idea of seeking peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific based on rule of law, to enhance cooperation and coordination in defense,” said Nakatani to Singh.

 

To the proposal of Nakatani to exercise security cooperation named Japan-India Defense Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region, Singh accepted the idea and both leaders agreed on continuing discussion. Under that concept, they concurred to establish a conference for controlling bilateral security cooperation, to deepen joint exercises including Dharma Guardian, and to strengthen coordination in ensuring safety of maritime traffic which is crucial for regional and international communities.

 

In press conference after the meeting, Nakatani stressed responsibility of Japan and India in regional security. “We agreed on further cooperation over the issues in Southeast Asia, not targeting on a specific country,” said Nakatani. He raised his achievements in bilateral security relationship, including Trilateral Defense Consultation with Australia or the U.S., 

dialogue with Indonesia over maritime security and strategic dialogue between operational sections of Japan and the Philippines.

 

Upholding a concept of Free and Open Indo-Pacific, Japan has been approaching India mainly through multilateral framework, such as QUAD including the U.S. and Australia. 　Embracing concern on China’s unilateral advance, as seen in violation of Japan’s airspace by Chinese aircraft around Senkaku Islands, Japan needs to solidify security bilateral ties with India. To achieve confidence in technological cooperation, Japan offered export of engines for aircrafts and tanks. Those activities can be a compensation for relative indifference of Trump administration in security in Asian region.

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