India hopes to further expand the scope of cooperation with Japan with 2+2 talks

NEW DELHI: India and Japan would hold their maiden 2+2 (Foreign & Defence Minister) level dialogue this year ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe’s annual summit.

This was decided on Tuesday during the telephonic conversation between the newly appointed foreign minister S Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono. India has 2+2 mechanism with the USA.

Kono extended his congratulations on the appointment of Jaishankar, who has very close ties with Japan, according to a statement issued by the Japanese foreign ministry. Jaishankar is credited with putting in place the economic pact with Japan. Kono expressed his view that towards the realisation of a free and open Indo-Pacific, the role and responsibility of India as a global power is extremely huge. Kono also stated that it is Abe’s turn to visit India this year and he hopes to keep in touch and cooperate with Jaishankar more closely than ever, read the statement. Kono invited Jaishankar to the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in November, and stated that he would like to welcome Jaishankar in Japan earlier to discuss wide-ranging issues. Kono went on to state that he would like to coordinate the schedule to hold a “2+2” ministerial meeting as soon as possible.

Jaishankar stated that he would like to meet at various occasions such as international conferences and visit Japan soon. He also stated that with Kono, he hopes to further expand the scope of cooperation with Japan with which India enjoys special relationship and looks forward to meeting foreign minister Kono soon, statement informed.