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Japan and India are set to advance their strategic partnership with a renewed focus on space and cyber security as they prepare to update their 2008 “Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation.” This significant move will be formalized at a two-plus-two foreign and defense ministerial meeting scheduled to take place in India on Tuesday.
The existing joint declaration has laid the foundation for comprehensive security ties between the two nations, emphasizing the interchange of foreign and defense officials and the safeguarding of maritime transport. However, the evolving global security landscape, particularly with China’s growing maritime assertiveness, necessitates an expansion into new security domains. As a result, both countries will deliberate on incorporating space and cyber security into their revised agreement.
This upcoming meeting will mark the third iteration of the two-plus-two talks, and the first since September 2022. It will feature high-level discussions with Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, alongside India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. The agenda is expected to cover a broad spectrum of topics, including the potential export of Japanese defense equipment to India and deeper strategic collaborations.
Since the original 2008 agreement, Japan and India have significantly deepened their bilateral relations. They have held their first cyberspace talks in 2012 and initiated a dialogue on space in 2019. The countries have also conducted joint military drills, starting with the Air Self-Defense Force’s exercise with the Indian Air Force in 2018.
Furthermore, both nations are exploring increased cooperation to support a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” aiming to counterbalance China’s influence. Despite India’s commitment to strategic autonomy, maintaining balanced relations with other global powers like Russia, the strengthening of security ties with Japan reflects a shared strategic vision.
The revised declaration will be timed to coincide with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to Japan later this year, underscoring the significance of this partnership in the broader context of regional and global security dynamics.