The Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) discussed ways to enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability, while promoting a collaborative approach towards a free and open Indo-Pacific, at the 11th edition of the Staff Talks in New Delhi, an Indian Navy spokesperson said on Friday.
The talks were co-chaired by Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence) Rear Admiral Srinivas Maddula and JMSDF Director General (Operations and Plans) Rear Admiral Toshiyuki Hirata.
“11th edition of Indian Navy–JMSDF Staff Talks were successfully concluded on January 29 in New Delhi. The talks focused on enhancing maritime cooperation, furthering interoperability and promoting a collaborative approach towards a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, while building convergence on the shared vision of MAHASAGAR and OCEAN,” the Navy spokesperson said in a post on X.
The JMSDF said that both sides agreed to enhance bilateral ties through cooperation in operations, equipment and personnel.
“JMSDF held staff talks with the Indian Navy in New Delhi, where we agreed to enhance relations through cooperation in operations, equipment and personnel aspects. By further deepening our naval relationship, we will continue to contribute to peace and stability in the region,” it said in a post on X.
Earlier this month, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting that Japan and India are “natural partners” that share fundamental values and strategic interests.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Motegi’s meeting with Prime Minister Modi lasted approximately 50 minutes.
During his visit to India, the Japanese Foreign Minister also co-chaired the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
During the dialogue, both sides discussed economic, maritime and multilateral cooperation, among other issues.
In a later post, EAM Jaishankar said that the “Special Strategic and Global Partnership is on an upward trajectory and holds immense potential for shaping the world order and de-risking the international economy”.
He added that discussions on deeper economic, maritime, supply chain, critical minerals, technology, people-to-people and multilateral cooperation reflected the shared interests and mutual understanding between the two countries.
The two ministers also exchanged views on Indo-Pacific developments as well as regional and global issues, he said.
–IANS
