Eye on China, India and Japan to upgrade 2008 security agreement
- In Reports
- 01:02 PM, Aug 21, 2024
- Myind Staff
Amid increasing alignment on strategic issues, including their vision for a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, India and Japan agreed in a joint statement issued after the 2+2 dialogue on Tuesday to revise and update the 2008 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation. This update aims to address contemporary priorities and the current security challenges they face.
The Times of India first reported on Tuesday that India and Japan were planning to renew and enhance the 2008 Declaration, which established the framework for stronger security cooperation between the two countries. This includes strategic dialogues between their foreign ministers and consultations between their defence ministers and National Security Advisors (NSAs). A revised and updated Declaration is expected to be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan later this year for the annual summit.
During their discussions, which also addressed growing Chinese assertiveness in the South and East China Seas, India and Japan agreed to explore potential security and defence cooperation with third countries to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“A free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific is the top priority for both our countries. We explored the possibility of coordinating our respective security and development assistance where our interests converge,” said Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, adding the 2 sides agreed to prepare a new framework for security cooperation. He also announced India will open a new consulate in the city of Fukuoka.
India and Japan held their third 2+2 foreign and defence meeting, where Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hosted their Japanese counterparts, Yoko Kamikawa and Minoru Kihara, respectively. A Japanese spokesperson noted that both sides agreed to begin discussions on an agreement to allow Japanese naval ships to undergo repair work in India. Although there was no announcement regarding the transfer of stealth naval ship antennas to India, as some Tokyo reports had suggested, the joint statement expressed satisfaction with the progress made on India's proposed procurement of Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN).
Discussions also covered major regional and global issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to upholding and strengthening the rules-based international order, grounded in the principles of the UN Charter, respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes without resorting to the threat or use of force. They emphasised the need for all countries to avoid any attempts to alter the status quo unilaterally.
While the ministers did not specifically name Pakistan in their joint statement, as they did in the 2019 statement, they strongly condemned cross-border terrorism and called for justice for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Pathankot attack, and other incidents. The joint statement urged coordinated actions against all UN-listed terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). It emphasised the need to eradicate terrorists' safe havens, eliminate terrorist financing channels, and halt the cross-border movement of terrorists.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar affirmed that India and Japan are resolute in their opposition to terrorism, including cross-border terrorism.
"We discussed strengthening our capacity-building cooperation, including on dealing with challenges emanating in cyberspace and through the misuse of digital technologies," said the minister.
Image source: IANS
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