India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue

Bасkgrоund:-

• The Defence Policy Dialogue is an institutionalised mechanism between India and Japan to discuss bilateral defence cooperation.
• The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a wide range of issues related to defence cooperation between the two countries.

Linkаges:-

• Japan is one of the few countries with whom India has a 2+2 ministerial dialogue. This dialogue involves the Defence and Foreign Ministers on both sides and is seen as an endorsement of the special strategic partnership between India and Japan.
• Both India and Japan are members of Quad, G20 and G-4, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).
• India has been the largest recipient of the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) Loan for the past decades for Delhi Metro is one of the most successful examples of Japanese cooperation through the utilisation of ODA.

Сurrent  Sсenаriо:-

• The 7th India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue was co-chaired by the Defence Secretary of India and the Vice Minister of Defense for International Affairs of Japan in New Delhi.
• The two countries discussed Service-level exercises and engagements, regional security issues and cooperation in defence equipment & technology.
• Both countries appreciated the growing cooperation between the Services through Staff talks and exercises.
• They welcomed the conduct of the inaugural fighter exercise ‘Veer Guardian’ between the Indian Air Force and Japanese Air Self Defence Force in January 2023 in Japan.

Imрасt:-

• India and Japan are required to transform their military strategy and build on the common interest in preventing the rise of a securing hegemony in the Indo-Pacific (US and China).
• More collaboration and cooperation can prove beneficial to both nations. There is also a huge potential with respect to Make in India.

Content contributed by- Jeffrey V