India-Japan agree to expand maritime co-operation to ensure peace in Indo-Pacific region

India and Japan have resolved to expand their maritime cooperation and work together to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. 

This was stated in a joint press statement issued after the Annual Defence Ministerial Meeting held in New Delhi between Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Defence Minister of Japan  Itsunori Onodera. 

The two Ministers recognised that the peace and stability of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean are crucial for ensuring the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific



region. 

Both sides also exchanged views on the current security situation in the Indo-Pacific region, including developments in the Korean Peninsula. 

They recognised that it is important for the two countries to further strengthen defence and security cooperation under the Japan-lndia Special Strategic and Global Partnership. 

The two sides also reaffirmed that they have shared interests in expanding cooperation in the maritime security domain.