India And Japan Reaffirm Strategic Partnership Ahead Of Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meet

New Delhi, May 26 (KNN) India and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across economic security, supply chain resilience, defence, energy security and regional stability during talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in New Delhi.
 
The discussions took place ahead of the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which is being hosted by India and brings together senior leaders from the four-member grouping comprising India, Japan, Australia and the United States, reported ANI.
 
Focus On Supply Chains, Economic Security And Defence Cooperation
 
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Motegi outlined Japan's updated vision for a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ (FOIP) and emphasised that India and Japan should act as the driving force in advancing the initiative.
 
He expressed hope for closer coordination between the two countries through bilateral mechanisms as well as the Quad framework.
 
The two ministers agreed to accelerate cooperation under the ‘Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade’, launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan in August last year.
 
Both sides highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration in areas related to economic security, including strengthening resilient supply chains for critical materials and promoting innovation-driven growth through investments.
 
The leaders also reviewed progress in defence and security cooperation based on the revised Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation signed last year.
 
They agreed to advance people-to-people exchanges and other collaborative initiatives as India and Japan prepare to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
 
Regional Stability, Energy Security Take Centre Stage
 
Regional and global developments also featured prominently in the discussions. The ministers exchanged views on the evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East and agreed to maintain close communication on key challenges, including ensuring free and secure navigation through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
 
Both countries also pledged to cooperate in ensuring stable supplies of energy and critical materials across Southeast Asia and South Asia.
 
(KNN Bureau)