India and Japan Strengthen Ties: New Consulate in Fukuoka and Enhanced Security Cooperation
New Delhi, August 20: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that India and Japan are committed to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. During the third 2+2 Ministerial Meeting, both countries agreed to coordinate their security and development assistance and tasked officials with creating a new framework for security cooperation.
Jaishankar emphasized the importance of opposing terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and announced the opening of a new Indian Consulate in Fukuoka, Japan. He noted that the global and regional environment has become more complex since the last meeting in Tokyo two years ago, making transparency and resilience crucial for security.
Defence Minister of Japan Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, along with India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, participated in the meeting. The discussions covered new opportunities in technology, research, and industrial cooperation. Jaishankar urged Japan to address regulatory challenges to enhance technology sharing.
Both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in cybersecurity and protecting critical information infrastructure. Jaishankar appreciated Kamikawa’s efforts to highlight the role of women in peace and security and announced a UN Peacekeeping Conference for Women Officers in 2025, inviting Japan to participate.
As members of the G4, India and Japan continue to advocate for UN Security Council reforms. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership, and both countries aim to create a new vision for their evolving relationship.
Jaishankar praised Japan’s involvement in developing India’s North-East region and requested continued support. The meeting also discussed progressing High-Speed railway cooperation and expanding people-to-people engagement, including skills, talents, students, and tourists. Jaishankar expressed optimism about the productive and forward-looking discussions, paving the way for robust cooperation in defense and foreign policy.
Doubts Revealed
Consulate -: A consulate is like a small office of a country in another country. It helps people with things like visas and passports.
Fukuoka -: Fukuoka is a city in Japan. It’s where the new Indian Consulate will be.
2+2 Ministerial Meeting -: This is a special meeting where two important ministers from each country, like defense and foreign ministers, talk about important issues.
Indo-Pacific -: The Indo-Pacific is a big area that includes the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Many countries, including India and Japan, are in this area.
External Affairs Minister -: The External Affairs Minister is a person in the Indian government who handles relationships with other countries. Right now, it’s S. Jaishankar.
Terrorism -: Terrorism is when people use violence to scare others and achieve their goals. Countries work together to stop it.
Cybersecurity -: Cybersecurity means protecting computers and the internet from bad people who want to steal information or cause harm.
UN reforms -: UN reforms are changes that countries want to make to the United Nations to make it work better.
Strategic partnership -: A strategic partnership is when two countries work closely together on important issues like security and development.
North-East development -: This refers to improving the North-Eastern part of India by building roads, schools, and other important things.
High-Speed railway projects -: These are special trains that go very fast, like the ones Japan has. India wants to build similar trains with Japan’s help.