India, Japan agree to bolster defense and security ties

NEW DELHI, India - India and Japan agreed on Tuesday to bolster defense and security ties and backed a "common strategic vision" of a free and open Indo-Pacific - a region where both countries have troubled relations with China.

Foreign and defense ministers of both countries held talks under the so-called 'India-Japan 2+2' dialogue in New Delhi, the third such bilateral engagement in five years.

The ministers discussed progress on the transfer of battleship communication antennas and related technology from Japan to India, according to a joint statement.

The move would mark Japan's first export of defense equipment and technology transfer to New Delhi under a 2015 pact, as Tokyo seeks to strengthen its defense industry.

Economic and political ties between India and Japan have grown. The nations are part of the Quad security grouping with the United States and Australia, seen as a counter to China's influence in the region.

Last year, Japan and India, the world's third and fifth largest economies respectively, launched a $600 million joint fund for low carbon emission projects. Bilateral trade was worth $22.85 billion in the 2023/24 fiscal year. — Reuters