'2+2' dialogue: India calls on Japan to remove regulatory bottlenecks for technology-sharing

New Delhi, August 20

India on Tuesday called on Japan to remove regulatory bottlenecks that exist in sharing of critical technologies even as the two sides vowed to work vigorously towards the common goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific in the face of China's aggressive military posturing in the region.

At the third '2+2' foreign and defence ministerial dialogue, India and Japan also agreed to prepare a new framework for security cooperation in line with the desire to further expand the overall strategic ties.

The Indian delegation at the talks was headed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Japanese team was led by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defence Minister Kihara Minoru.

A joint statement said the ministers appreciated the successful completion of the cooperation in the areas of Unmanned Ground Vehicle/Robotics.

It said they also appreciated the progress made for the transfer of Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) and related technologies and early signing of related arrangements.

The UNICORN will be fitted onboard Indian naval ships, officials said.

"A free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific is the top priority for both our countries. We explored the possibility of coordinating our respective security and development assistance where our interests converge," Jaishankar said in his media statement.

He also announced India's decision to establish a new consulate in the Japanese city of Fukuoka.

Kamikawa, in an oblique reference to China's military muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific, told media: "We reaffirmed our commitment to object to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and uphold the free and open international order based on the rule of law."           The Japanese foreign minister said both sides reaffirmed strong determination to cooperate for regional peace and prosperity.

In his remarks, Jaishankar said both sides discussed the unfolding new avenues for technology, research and industrial cooperation while underlining the importance of trust-based collaboration in emerging technologies, including in the field of defence.

"Such trust-based collaboration in emerging technologies, including in the field of defence, will progress best when our approaches to technology sharing evolve," he said.

"To this end, I requested our Japanese colleagues to look into the regulatory bottlenecks that currently exist," he said.

Jaishankar also said that India and Japan are resolute in their opposition to terrorism, including cross-border terrorist activities.

The joint statement said the ministers unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and called for bringing the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other attacks to justice. PTI