India and Japan Conclude Staff Talks to Bolster Maritime Cooperation in Indo-Pacific

Staff Talks Reinforce Strategic Partnership

New Delhi recently hosted the 11th edition of the Indian Navy–Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Staff Talks, which successfully concluded on January 29. The high-level discussions aimed at strengthening the maritime partnership between the two nations, focusing on enhanced cooperation, interoperability, and a unified approach towards a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).

The talks were co-chaired by Rear Admiral Srinivas Maddula, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence from the Indian Navy, and Rear Admiral Toshiyuki Hirata, Director General for Operations and Plans from the JMSDF. Both sides reiterated their commitment to deepening bilateral ties across various aspects, including operations, equipment, and personnel exchanges.

Focus on a Free and Open Indo-Pacific

A central theme of the staff talks was the promotion of a collaborative strategy for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This vision is crucial for regional stability and prosperity, emphasizing principles such as:

• Freedom of navigation
• Free trade
• Promotion of the rule of law

The discussions also sought to build convergence on the shared visions articulated in initiatives like MAHASAGAR and OCEAN. Japan's FOIP concept, first unveiled in 2016, aims to improve connectivity between Asia and Africa, fostering a stable and prosperous region.

Broader Diplomatic Engagements

These staff talks are part of a series of ongoing high-level engagements between India and Japan. Recently, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi visited India, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and co-chaired the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. These broader dialogues covered a wide range of topics, including economic, maritime, and multilateral cooperation, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the India-Japan special strategic and global partnership.

History of Robust Maritime Collaboration

India and Japan have a well-established history of formalizing maritime cooperation. Key milestones include:

• Regular joint naval exercises such as JIMEX (Japan-India Maritime Exercise), which commenced in 2012 and has grown in complexity.
• Japan's participation in Exercise Malabar, a significant multilateral naval drill.
• The signing of a maritime information exchange agreement in 2019 to enhance situational awareness against piracy and other illicit activities.
• The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), signed in 2020, facilitating logistics sharing between their armed forces.

These initiatives collectively contribute to strengthening the operational capabilities and interoperability of both navies, reinforcing their commitment to regional peace and stability.