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India promises to support Japan’s proposal to build “counter-strike capabilities” directed at China during the 2+2 talks
Tokyo's intention to update its National Security Strategy was pledged by New Delhi during the second session of their 2+2 foreign and defence ministerial dialogue there.
In New Delhi: India announced on Tuesday that it would support Japan’s decision to purchase counter-strike missiles as part of their security and defence cooperation, sending a clear message to China.
The development took place at the second round of the 2+2 ministerial meeting that took place on Thursday in Tokyo between the ministers of external affairs, S. Jaishankar, and defence, Rajnath Singh, and their respective Japanese counterparts, Yoshimasa Hayashi and Yasukazu Hamada.
The joint statement that was released following the 2+2 meeting stated that “while expressing its determination to examine all options necessary for national defence — including so-called “counter-strike capabilities” — the Japanese side expressed its determination to fundamentally strengthen Japan’s defence capabilities within the next five years and secure a substantial increase of Japan’s defence budget needed to effect it.
The Indian side reaffirmed its support for efforts to improve security and defence cooperation after acknowledging Japan’s resolve to strengthen its defence capabilities.
This occurs at a time when there is a heated argument taking place in Japan about whether Tokyo should pursue counter-strike capabilities as part of its updated National Security Strategy, a move that many people there reject.
A Special Strategic and Global Partnership unites Japan and India.
According to Hamada’s remarks from last month, Japan plans to strengthen its air defence system under the counter-strike capabilities in light of its continuous disputes with China, the conflict in the Ukraine and Russia, and North Korea’s regular ballistic missile launches.
The Japanese defence ministry intends to boost its budget in fiscal 2023 by up to 3% above fiscal 2022. The Fumio Kishida administration also intends to update Japan’s “National Defense Program Guidelines,” which define the nation’s defence strategy, and the “Medium Term Defense Program,” which outlines the country’s defence build-up capabilities and acquisition strategy for the following five years.
“One of our top priorities is to improve India and Japan’s technological and defence cooperation. I got the chance to suggest interactions in important and growing technology fields during our conversation today, the defence minister Rajnath Singh said in a news release issued in Tokyo.
In separate meetings, Hamada and Singh also discussed the Japanese government’s plans to “fundamentally strengthen the defence capabilities of Japan through the formulation of National Security Strategy and other policies,” according to a statement from the Japanese Ministry of Defense.
Japan and India Additionally, it was decided on Thursday that both countries’ air forces will soon undertake a “India-Japan Fighter Exercise” despite their plans to “make continual efforts toward more complicated and sophisticated bilateral exercise.”
“National sovereignty and territorial integrity”
The need for all countries to seek peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law without the use of threats, force, or any attempt to change the status quo unilaterally was emphasised by both sides in their statements directed at China. They also emphasised the need for all countries to adhere to a rules-based global order that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.
“To truly reap the rewards of the significant convergence in our interests and worldview, it is imperative that we strengthen our coordination of foreign policy. Naturally, they focus on the Indo-Pacific, but they also cover a wide range of other regional, global, and multilateral platforms. Jaishankar emphasised the value of the viewpoints exchanged on the pressing issues facing the world today.
Both parties emphasised the necessity of cooperating closely with ASEAN in this area in order to create a “free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient, based on the rule of law, and free from coercion.”
According to the joint statement, the ministers had a “frank and fruitful discussion on the regional and global issues of mutual interests and concerns,” particularly those involving the Indo-Pacific region and Ukraine.
