NEW DELHI (AP) – India said that ties with Japan are key to stability in the Indo-Pacific region as the two countries held their inaugural foreign and defence ministerial dialogue in New Delhi with an aim to further bolster their strategic partnership.

The security talks on Saturday (Nov 30) focused on cooperation in building a free and open Indo-Pacific in view of China’s growing footprint in the region.

They took place following a decision by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart, Mr Shinzo Abe, during a summit between the leaders last year.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar headed the Indian delegation, while the Japanese side was led by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono.

Mr Singh held talks with Mr Kono on a range of issues. The Press Trust of India news agency reported that the two ministers discussed deepening ties in the development of weapons and military hardware.

India and Japan said in a joint statement that the “further strengthening of bilateral cooperation was in mutual interest of both countries and would also help in furthering the cause of the peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region”.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held a meeting with Japan’s foreign and defence ministers.

Mr Modi said that India’s relationship with Japan is “a key component of our vision for Indo-Pacific for peace, stability and prosperity of the region, as well as a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy”, according to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

Japan is only the second country after the United States with which India has used the so-called “two-plus-two” dialogue format, which brings the foreign and defence ministers together for talks.

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