Japan and India on Monday (May 25) reaffirmed their commitment to deepen strategic cooperation across the Indo-Pacific, economic security, defence and critical supply chains during talks between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ gathering, was followed by a working dinner where both sides discussed regional security, economic resilience and growing geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia.
Jaishankar welcomed Motegi’s return visit to India and stressed the need for stronger bilateral coordination “amid the severe international situation.” Responding to this, Motegi underlined Japan’s updated vision for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and said, “to realize FOIP, Japan and India must serve as the driving force.”
The Japanese Foreign Ministry said both leaders agreed to continue cooperation in economic security, especially in strengthening “supply chain resilience for critical materials,” based on the “Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade” launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan last year. The two sides also stressed investment and innovation-led growth in both countries.
The ministers also agreed to expand cooperation in defence and security under the revised Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation. They further discussed increasing people-to-people exchanges ahead of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and India next year.
On regional developments, the two sides exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific and Middle East situations and confirmed they would maintain “close communication in addressing various challenges, including ensuring free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Japanese statement further noted that Tokyo and New Delhi would work together to ensure “the stable supply of energy and critical materials in the Southeast Asia and South Asia regions,” highlighting growing convergence between the two Quad partners on strategic and economic priorities.
The Quad foreign Ministers’ meeting on Tuesday (May 26) will bring together Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi, and US secretary of State Marco Rubio in New Delhi at the invitation of Jaishankar. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the ministers will review progress on ongoing Quad initiative and discuss recent developments in the Indo-Pacific and other global issues of mutual concern
During the visit, the visiting leaders are also expected to hold bilateral meetings and call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.