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 Upholding 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. Cross-Domain Security Issue Dialogue Framework and Cooperation Progress
7. Advancement of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda
8. People-to-People Exchanges and Consular Institution Building
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 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting was held in New Delhi, with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, along with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, participating. The meeting outcomes were formally released as a Joint Statement. As democratic nations sharing common values, the core objective of this meeting was 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 in Tokyo in July 2024.

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

The statement clarified specific directions for defense equipment and technology cooperation, including the completion of cooperation in the field of Unmanned Ground Vehicles/Robotics, the transfer of technology and signing of agreements related to the "Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN)," and exploring cooperation for ship maintenance within India. Furthermore, both countries agreed to revise the 2008 Japan-India 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 terrorism and violent extremism in all forms, called for bringing the perpetrators of cases like the Mumbai 26/11 attacks and the Pathankot attack to justice, and demanded action against UN-listed terrorist organizations and terrorist financing channels. Additionally, India plans to establish a new Consulate in Fukuoka, and both sides will organize "India Month" and "Japan Month" events 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.