The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a diplomatic summit between the Ministers of External Affairs and the Defence Minister with their counter parts from other major powers to collaborate and work on bilateral and global issues. The practice has its origins with the inaugural 2+2 dialogue with the United States of America in 2018 and later expanded to Japan in 2019, Australia and Russia in 2021 and in 2023 with the United Kingdom.
India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
In November 2019, India and Japan held their first 2+2 meeting in New Delhi between Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Defense Minister Taro Kono, Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, and Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh. The second edition took place in September 2022 with India’s two ministers meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
On August 20, 2024 the third edition of the dialogue was held in New Delhi attended by all the four ministers – Japan’s Ministers Ms. Kamikawa Yoko (Foreign Affairs) and Mr. Kihara Minoru (Defence), and from the Indian side Mr. Rajnath Singh (Defence Minister) and Dr S. Jaishankar (External Affairs). It focused on the Indo-Pacific and discussions over the Ukraine war, defence technology transfers, semiconductors and critical minerals. The Japanese ministers also met the Prime Minister of India, in a meeting that stretched for more than an hour.
The Joint Statement
The Joint Statement released by the ministries of both countries stressed on their shared values – democracy, rules-based international order based on the UN Charter, national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes. It also highlighted their common strategic vision – a free and open Indo-Pacific, that is inclusive, peaceful, prosperous and resilient, and the importance they attach to ASEAN’s unity and centrality.
As per the statement, the Ministers had a frank and wide-ranging discussion on regional and global issues, particularly the Indo-Pacific and their shared commitment to QUAD. They welcomed the possibility to further enhance bilateral security and defence cooperation and the advancements already made for Women, Peace and Security (WPS). They also hoped to strengthen the UN, by continuing to work together on Security Council reforms.
In order to reflect contemporary challenges and priorities, the leaders expressed willingness to revise and update the 2008 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between the two countries.
The Ministers noted with pleasure the progress made since their last meeting two years back to promote cooperation on cross-cutting security issues through multilayered dialogues, such as Defence Policy Dialogue, Foreign Secretary level Dialogue, the Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Dialogue, Cyber Dialogue, the Japan-India Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, and other regional talks on emerging and hotspot issues.
They also appreciated the cooperation showcased in the areas of Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV)/Robotics, the progress made for the transfer of Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) and related technologies and the overall Japan-India Joint Working Group on Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation. They also looked forward to having dialogues in areas such as space, maritime affairs, Africa, and for further cooperation in the field of economic security and strategic trade.
The Ministers encouraged efforts to foster people-to-people exchanges that will help complement the strategic partnership and appreciated India’s decision to establish a new Consulate in Fukuoka.
The Ministers unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism calling for action on all UN-listed terrorist group and their proxies and appealed for bringing the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other attacks to justice.
The Ministers appreciated the progress in the defence cooperation and exchanges including the first air visit by Japanese fighters and their participation at Tarang Shakti, the inaugural edition of the bilateral fighter exercise ‘Veer Guardian 2023’ between the air forces of both countries and conduct of the bilateral exercises of all three services in one calendar year (2023) for the first time.
The Ministers concluded by agreeing to hold the next 2+2 Ministerial Meeting in Japan and a visit of the Prime Minister Modi for the next Annual Summit as well.
