Japan, India to Hold Security Dialogue This Year

January 8, 2019

New Delhi--Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and his Indian counterpart, Sushma Swaraj, agreed Monday that the two countries will hold a ministerial security meeting at an early date this year.

In a meeting in October, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, agreed to launch the security dialogue that brings together foreign and defense ministers from the two countries.

Kono and Swaraj also agreed that Tokyo and New Delhi will work closely together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific in an apparent effort to counter China's rise.

Speaking to reporters after his talks with Swaraj, Kono said cooperation between Japan and India in space and cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important.

He also expressed Tokyo's determination to conclude a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade agreement among 16 countries including Japan and India, this year.

Kono also held talks with Modi to discuss ways to promote personnel exchanges between Japan and India. Jiji Press