India-Japan to hold 2+2 ministerial dialogue in New Delhi today

The inaugural meeting of India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) will be held today. Both the countries are expected to discuss defence and security, among other mutual issues.

The meeting is being held in pursuance of the decision taken by Prime Minister Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018, with an aim to institute a Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue for further deepening bilateral security and defence cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be leading the Indian delegation while the Japanese delegation will be led by Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono.

"The 2+2 meeting would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the status of and exchange further views on strengthening defence and security cooperation between India and Japan so as to provide greater depth to the 'India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership'," the MEA statement added.

The Japanese delegation will also meet PM Modi.

India and Japan will also trade views on the contemporary situation in the Indo-Pacific region and the respective efforts made by both sides under India's ''Act East Policy'' and Japan's ''Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision'' to achieve the shared goal of peace, prosperity, and progress.