New Delhi, May 5 (HS): On Monday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Japan’s Defence Minister General Nakatani at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. During the meeting, India and Japan condemned all forms of terrorism and emphasized the need for global cooperation in this regard.
Rajnath Singh stated in a post, “I was very pleased to meet Japan’s Defence Minister General Nakatani in New Delhi. There is a special, strategic, and global partnership between India and Japan. During the bilateral meeting, we discussed defense cooperation and regional security. Both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and stressed the need to enhance cooperation and joint efforts to combat cross-border threats. Nakatani expressed solidarity with India in light of the Pahalgam attack and offered full support to India.”
The Defence Ministry, sharing details of the meeting between the two leaders, stated that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the Pakistan government’s policy of cross-border terrorism against India, which is carried out through both governmental and non-governmental elements. Such attacks destabilize regional peace and security. Singh called for a united stance against terrorism and state-sponsored actions that promote it. Meanwhile, Japan’s Defence Minister Nakatani expressed condolences over the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 and extended full support to India.
Both ministers reviewed the defense and security pillars of the India-Japan special strategic and global partnership. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and contributing to regional peace. The ministers welcomed the increasing diversity and frequency of defense exercises and exchanges between both countries and agreed to enhance the scope and complexity of these engagements. Both leaders agreed to introduce new dimensions to the strong maritime cooperation between India and Japan.
Rajnath Singh emphasized the capabilities of the Indian defense industry, particularly in new areas such as tank engines and aero engines, and its potential for collaboration with Japan. He highlighted capabilities in maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations. Both sides agreed to enhance industrial cooperation, including exploring collaboration in specific areas such as automation and artificial intelligence. The ministers also decided to advance cooperation in emerging fields such as cyber and space.
Before that, the Japanese Defence Minister paid tribute to the martyrs at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. He was formally welcomed by the three armed forces prior to the discussions at the Manekshaw Centre.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
