The third 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministers' Meeting between India and Japan is being readied, said the Ministry of External Affairs on August 20, New Delhi. This forthcoming meeting will further firm up their strategic partnership.
The Indian delegation will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while on the Japanese side, the delegation will be led by Minister of Defence Minoru Kihara and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa.
The meeting marked the resumption of the discussions that began with the first round in New Delhi in 2019 and the second round in Tokyo in 2022.
"2+2 dialogue with Japan is very important for us, and this is the third time it is happening. India-Japan relation is at a very high level. Getting the foreign ministers and defense ministers of both the countries on the same platform will give a major boost to all aspects of our relationship," Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said.
This dialogue is likely to greatly enhance the overall India-Japan relationship, adds Jaiswal.
The '2+2' format was established to enhance bilateral security and defence cooperation and further strengthen the special strategic and global partnership between the two countries.
Only a few countries have the '2+2' ministerial dialogue with India, including the US, Australia, and Russia.
It was only earlier this month that External Affairs Minister Jaishankar pointed to strategic convergence between India and Japan, while expressing a belief in the scope of business cooperation—a signal that Delhi values closeness with Tokyo.
Apart from the 2+2 meeting, Jaiswal also spoke about the Voice of Global South Summit slated for August 17 in India. This virtual summit was held on the lines of its previous versions and tried to bring together countries of the Global South in a programmatic attempt to discuss priorities and viewpoints from the South.
"All Global South countries have been invited. We have a large number of participating countries. As for the exact number that will speak, we will let you know tomorrow," said Jaiswal.
The summit represents the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inclusive development and upholds 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' an age-old Indian principle emphasizing global unity and collaboration.
Read also| Israel Plans New Jewish Settlement Between Jerusalem and West Bank
