The 3rd India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue of the Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministers of both countries was held in New Delhi on 20 August 2024. The 2+2 Dialogue is a mechanism for both countries to discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual importance. It was started in 2019 to deepen and enhance India and Japan’s security and defence cooperation.India and Japan share close ties and will celebrate the 10th year of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2024.
Key Highlights of the India and Japan 2+2 Meet
- Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Both countries emphasised their commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.The strategic alignment is driven by China’s growing military presence in the region.The ministers supported Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s unity and centrality, endorsing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).The AOIP emphasises ASEAN’s central role in fostering cooperation, stability, and peace across the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.It also reflects ASEAN’s commitment to promoting a rules-based regional order founded on the principles of the United Nations Charter.They reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation within the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), following the discussions at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July 2024.Japan and India expressed intentions to collaborate in security assistance to third countries for regional peace and stability.
- Defence and Security Cooperation: The ministers recognized defence cooperation as a pillar of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership.Japan’s National Security Strategy, issued in 2022, further bolstered the bilateral defence relationship.Progress made in multilateral exercises such as Veer Guardian (2023), Dharma Guardian (Military), JIMEX (naval), SHINYUU Maitri (air force) and Malabar (along with Australia and the US) were emphasised.They appreciated advancements in unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and robotics cooperation.Both countries agreed to revise and update the 2008 Joint Declaration to address contemporary security challenges. This update will reflect current priorities and align with the evolving global security landscape.
- Terrorism and Extremism: Both sides condemned terrorism and violent extremism, with particular emphasis on cross-border terrorism.They called for bringing perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and other incidents to justice.Efforts to eliminate terrorist safe havens, cut off financing channels, and halt the movement of terrorists were supported, with specific mention of groups such as Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
- Technology: Discussions highlighted the transfer of Japan’s Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) and related technologies.The Unicorn system is a unified complex radio antenna that integrates multiple antennas into a single horn-shaped structure. It aims to minimise radar signatures, making warships less detectable by enemy forces.The system can also detect missiles and drones, enhancing situational awareness through its ability to sense radio waves over a wide area.Both sides agreed to explore Japanese naval ship maintenance in India and discussed future defence technology cooperation.
- Women, Peace, and Security (WPS): Japan and India emphasised the role of women in peacekeeping operations and supported the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.The WPS Agenda is a global framework aimed at addressing the gendered impacts of conflict and enhancing women’s participation in peace processes. This agenda was formalised with the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 in 2000, which highlights the critical roles women play in preventing and resolving conflicts, peacebuilding, and post-conflict recovery.
What are 2+2 Meetings
- 2+2 meetings are high-level diplomatic dialogues involving the foreign and defence ministers of two countries.
- This format facilitates in-depth discussions on strategic, security, and defence issues, aiming to enhance bilateral relations and address mutual concerns, which can help in resolving conflicts and building stronger partnerships.
India’s 2+2 Partners
- United States: The US is India’s oldest and most prominent 2+2 partner. The first 2+2 dialogue between India and the US occurred in 2018.This dialogue replaced the previous Strategic and Commercial Dialogue and was intended to deepen strategic cooperation and address shared concerns.
- Russia: The inaugural 2+2 meeting with Russia took place in 2021. Both countries share similar views on a multipolar world order and use this platform to discuss a broad range of regional and international issues.In addition to the US and Russia, India has engaged in 2+2 meetings with Australia, Japan, Brazil and the United Kingdom to bolster defence and security cooperation, enhance strategic depth, and align on a multipolar world order.