Here are the issues India and Japan may discuss in first 2+2 meeting

NEW DELHI: India and Japan will be holding an inaugural meeting of India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) today, here in New Delhi. The two countries sides are expected to discuss issues related to defence and security among others.

The Indian delegation is being led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Representing Japan are Defence Minister Taro Kono and Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. Both counterparts of the two nations will also be exchanging views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region. They will also be discussing about their respective schemes and efforts under India's 'Act East Policy' and Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision' to achieve their shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress.

This meeting between the Indian and Japanese ministers comes ahead of the annual India-Japan summit where the Prime Ministers of both the nations are going to commence discussions at Guwahati and Imphal in a few weeks. This meeting between the foreign and defence ministers will focus mainly on enhancing maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson spoke about the meeting and said, "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'."

Reports that Japan had said it would not sign the RCEP without India being part of the pact floated around ahead of the 2+2 meeting. If the reports are true, it would be a significant move not only for the trade deal, but for the relationship between New Delhi and Tokyo.