India and Japan Sign Maritime Security Agreement

New Delhi, Aug 20 (KUNA) -- The Indian Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday the signing of an agreement with Japan on maritime security, alongside a commitment to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries. The ministry said in a statement that this came during a meeting in New Delhi between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba, where they discussed ways to deepen defence relations. The statement added that the two ministers, in a joint communique issued after the meeting, praised the existing cooperation between the defence ministries and the military sectors of the two countries, which share strategic visions within the framework of their global strategic partnership, a cornerstone of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen defence cooperation to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific, while emphasizing the importance of exchanging assessments on the regional and international security environment between the two countries amid rising global tensions. They also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in defence research and development concerning advanced defence technologies, and agreed that Japan and India would hold consultations as necessary to ensure the security of both countries and to achieve peace and stability in the region. (End) a.t.k / a.m.s