New Delhi: India and Japan on Monday pitched for united global efforts to confront terrorism in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemning Pakistan’s policy of “cross-border” terrorist activities targeting India.
The Pahalgam terror attack of April 22 figured prominently in talks between Singh and his visiting counterpart Gen Nakatani that largely focused on boosting India-Japan defence ties in new areas including tank engines and aero engines.
“Singh condemned Pakistan’s state policy of cross-border terrorism against India, perpetrated through state and non-state actors,” the defence ministry said in a readout.
“He stated that such attacks destabilise regional peace and security. Rajnath Singh called for a unified stand against terrorism and the state-sponsored actions that perpetuate it,” it said.
The Japanese Defence minister expressed his condolences on the death of 26 civilians in the terror attack and offered “full support” to India, the ministry said.
The two ministers agreed to “add new dimensions” to the “robust” maritime cooperation between India and Japan, it said.
Nakatani’s visit to India came amid its heightened tensions with Pakistan.
“I would like to thank the government of Japan for their strong expression of solidarity with India in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack,” Singh said in his opening remarks at the delegation-level talks that followed a one-on-one meeting.
Minister Nakatani condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and expressed solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism.
“India shares a Special, Strategic and Global partnership with Japan. During the bilateral meeting we discussed defence cooperation and regional security,” Singh said in a social media post.
The Defence ministry said Singh and Nakatani reviewed the defence and security pillars of the India-Japan special strategic and global partnership.
The two ministers also decided to take forward the cooperation in emerging areas like cyber and space.
“They reaffirmed their commitment towards strengthening the bilateral relations and contributing towards regional peace,” it said.
The ministers welcomed the growing diversity and frequency of defence exercises and exchanges between the two countries, and concurred to enhance the “scope and complexity” of these engagements, the readout noted.
In the meeting, Singh outlined the capability of the Indian defence industry, particularly its potential to collaborate with the Japanese side on new areas including tank engines and aero engines.
“The dialogue ended with strong commitment by both sides to enhance the bilateral defence cooperation,” the ministry said.