New Delhi: Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko arrived in New Delhi late Monday afternoon to participate in the third India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministers' meeting. The talks will take place at the Hyderabad House on Tuesday evening.

Upon her arrival, Kamikawa emphasized India's heightened strategic importance, stating, "India's strategic importance has never been greater than it is now."

The upcoming 2+2 talks will feature discussions between Kamikawa Yoko, Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) indicated that the talks will address various aspects of the India-Japan partnership.

This visit marks Kamikawa Yoko's first trip to India since she assumed her role as Japan's Foreign Minister. She is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a courtesy call.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that India plays a crucial role in maintaining a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP) due to its strategic location in the Indian Ocean. The meeting aims to discuss the strategic environment and reinforce security and defence cooperation to uphold a rules-based international order.

Before the official 2+2 talks, Kamikawa Yoko will hold discussions with EAM Jaishankar to further strengthen bilateral relations. The talks will focus on enhancing economic and development cooperation, boosting people-to-people exchanges, and collaborating on international issues.

During his recent visit to Tokyo for the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting, EAM Jaishankar highlighted the evolving nature of India-Japan relations, emphasizing the need for a "contemporary partnership" amid new global challenges. He underscored the goal of rapidly increasing Japanese investments in India, aiming for a target of 5 trillion yen (approximately $42 billion) by 2027. Currently, around 1,400 Japanese companies operate in India, and this number is expected to grow.

Jaishankar also noted the deep historical ties between the two nations, particularly in economic and technological advancements. He expressed optimism about further collaboration and investment opportunities.

On July 29, EAM Jaishankar and Kamikawa Yoko discussed their shared commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation. They expressed satisfaction with the progress of the high-speed rail project, a key joint venture between India and Japan. They also welcomed the expansion of recruitment for Indian nationals under the JET Programme and the initiation of Japanese Language Partners' dispatch to India.

Furthermore, the ministers exchanged views on cooperation related to Security Council reform and prepared for the upcoming Summit of the Future at the UN Headquarters in New York next month.

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