India and Japan need to strengthen their defence capabilities for benefit of larger region including Red Sea: Dr S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar yesterday, lauded the ties between India and Japan, saying that both countries enjoy a special strategic and global partnership with the intent to meet the challenges facing the global order. Addressing the Raisina Roundtable organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) at Tokyo in Japan, 

Dr Jaishankar asserted that as the voice of the global south, India is conscious of the responsibility, with its development efforts today spanning 78 nations across different continents. Referring to recent attacks by Yemen's Houthi outfit on cargo ships at Red Sea, the Minister said that maritime safety and security have become particularly pressing concerns. He called for strengthening the defence capabilities of the two countries for the



benefit of the larger region.

The External Affairs Minister said, India is today working on major corridors both to its east and west. He said, India and Japan have converging views about the need for transparent and collaborative connectivity. He said, it is also in the common interest of both the nations that the overall balance remains in favour of the freedom, openness, transparency, and rules-based order.

Dr Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Tokyo to take part in Foreign Minister’s Strategic Dialogue between India and Japan with his counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa. The External Affairs Minister reached Japan after concluding his visit to South Korea, where he met the top leaders during his stay.