India, Japan discuss bilateral, regional and global security challenges

Defence Ministers of India and Japan, A.K.Antony and Itsunori Onodera on Monday held talks here that focussed on bilateral, regional and global security challenges facing both countries.

Itsunori is on a visit to India from January 5 to 8, as a follow up to the India-Japan Defence Ministerial Meeting held in November 2011.

The exchange between the two ministers was described as extensive and frank.

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They also shared views on issues relating to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

Minister Onodera briefed his Indian counterpart on Japan's national security strategy and national defence program guidelines, which were adopted in December 2013.

Both ministers appreciated the progress on India-Japan bilateral defence cooperation and exchanges that had been achieved in a variety of fields and at various levels, including the holding of the third Defence Policy Dialogue which was decided during the 2011 Defence Ministerial meeting, the second "2 plus 2" dialogue and the second bilateral training between the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and the Indian Navy which was held from 19-22 December, 2013.

Both mnisters also shared views on the necessity to conduct high-level and working-level regular consultations and exchanges, deepening Services exchanges and education/academic research exchanges and making other efforts, in order to further strengthen mutual trust and mutual understanding.

They also decided to strengthen India-Japan defence consultation and cooperation, including those related to maritime security to further consolidate and strengthen the Strategic and Global Partnership between Japan and India.

At the meeting, both ministers agreed to continue to carry out high-level mutual visits on annual basis.

It was also decided that Antony would visit Japan in 2014 on dates mutually acceptable to the governments of the two countries.

Both India and Japan have also agreed to hold the third "2 plus 2" dialogue and the fourth Defence Policy Dialogue (Administrative Vice-Minister/Secretary of Defence level) in Delhi in 2014; promote exchanges on UN Peacekeeping Operations between Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Centre, Joint Staff College (JPC), Central Readiness Force of Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) and Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) of the Indian Army; conduct bilateral exercises between Japan Maritime Self- Defence Force and Indian Navy on a regular basis. In 2014, the Indian Navy will visit Japan to conduct joint exercises; conduct expert exchanges in humanitarian assistance/disaster relief and counter terrorism between both Indian Army and Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF); and continue to conduct staff exchanges and discuss possibility of conducting staff talks between Japan Air Self-Defence Force and Indian Air Force and professional exchanges of test-pilots, professional exchanges in the field of flight safety and between their transport squadrons.