[Title] Joint Press Statement on Defence Cooperation

1. H.E. Mr. A.K. ANTONY, Minister of Defence of the Republic of India, is currently paying an official visit to Japan from 8 to 10 November, 2009 upon the invitation of the Minister of Defense of Japan, H.E. Mr. Toshimi KITAZAWA. The two Ministers held in-depth discussion on defense exchanges and cooperation between Japan and India, and on the regional and international security situation, in Tokyo on 9 November, 2009.

2. The two Ministers emphasized that the two countries have deepened the Strategic and Global Partnership since 2006. The two Ministers recalled that during the official visit to Japan of H.E. Dr. Manmohan SINGH, Prime Minister of the Republic of India in October 2008, the Prime Ministers of the two countries had signed the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between Japan and India (hereinafter referred to as "the Joint Declaration") and expressed their expectation to develop an Action Plan with specific measures to advance security cooperation at an early date. The two Ministers expressed their determination to accelerate bilateral discussions on various measures in order to further promote defense exchanges and cooperation through such an Action Plan, which would be developed by both sides.

3. The two Ministers reiterated that the Joint Statement regarding cooperation in the defense field between Japan and India, signed between the two Defense Ministers during the official visit to Japan of H.E. Mr. Pranab MUKHERJEE, Minister of Defence of the Republic of India, in May 2006, continues to be the basis for promoting defense exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

(Meetings between the Defense Ministers)

4. The two Ministers expressed their desire to hold annual meetings. Minister ANTONY thanked Minister KITAZAWA for his courtesy and hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the visit to Japan. The two Ministers agreed to work towards the realization of the visit of the Minister of Defense of Japan to India at the earliest mutually convenient time.

(Meetings between the Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense of Japan and the Defence Secretary of India)

5. The two Ministers shared the importance of holding regular meetings between the Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense of Japan and the Defence Secretary of India including the Defense Policy Dialogue. The two Ministers expressed their expectation that the 2nd Defense Policy Dialogue will be held at the earliest mutually convenient time in 2010 in India.

(Comprehensive Security Dialogue and Military-to-Military Talks)

6. The two Ministers underlined the importance of regular exchanges of views between the two defense authorities at the working-level. The two Ministers welcomed the 6th Comprehensive Security Dialogue (CSD) and 5th Military-to-Military Talks at the Director General/Joint Secretary level held in February 2009 in India. The two Ministers noted with satisfaction that the next CSD and Military-to-Military Talks will take place in 2010 in Japan.

(Exchanges of Chiefs of Staff)

7. The two Ministers expected regular exchanges of the Chiefs of Staff. The Japanese side appreciated the visit of India's Chief of the Naval Staff to Japan in August 2008 and the visit of the Chief of Army Staff to participate in the Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (PACC) in August 2009 in Japan.

(Service-to-Service exchanges including Navy-to-Navy and Ground-to-Ground Staff Talks)

8. The two Ministers reiterated the importance of strengthening service-to-service exchanges such as Staff Talks including Navy-to-Navy and Ground-to-Ground Staff Talks, as well as bilateral exercises between Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the Indian Armed Forces to enhance cooperation and core ability for maritime security operation and disaster relief. The two Ministers welcomed the recent bilateral and multilateral exercises such as "Malabar 07-02" held in the Bay of Bengal in September 2007, and "Malabar 09" held in the eastern sea of Okinawa in April 2009. The two Ministers were pleased with the holding of the 2nd Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks between the Maritime SDF (MSDF) and the Indian Navy in October 2009 in Japan.

(Exchanges of students and researchers)

9. The two Ministers recognized the importance to enhance exchanges of students and researchers for respective defense institutions in order to lay the foundation for mutual understanding and cooperation. In this regard, the two Ministers confirmed the importance of regularly sending students and researchers from Japan Ministry of Defense/SDF to the Indian National Defence College, Defence Service Staff College and other respective defense institutions in India, and from India to the Regular Course of the National Institute for Defense Studies and other respective defense institutions in Japan in the spirit of reciprocity.

(Maritime Security)

10. The two Ministers recognized that Japan and India share common interest in the safety of sea lines of communications, and welcomed recent reinforcement of cooperation in the field of maritime security between the two defense authorities, particularly between the MSDF and the Indian Navy, as well as the inauguration of Japan-India Maritime Security Dialogue which was held in October 2009 in India. The two Ministers shared international concerns on piracy off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, and expressed their support for international efforts of anti-piracy. The two countries appreciated the efforts taken both by Japan and India to ensure safety of navigation in the relevant areas. The two Ministers are committed to continue and strengthen cooperation and information sharing in this area.

(Peace-keeping/Peace-building and Disaster Relief)

11. Regarding peace-keeping and peace-building, the two Ministers expressed their satisfaction that the contingents of the two countries work closely in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights and expected that such practical cooperation will be strengthened. The two Ministers confirmed the importance of conducting mutual exchanges between the Peacekeeping Operations organizations of both countries, such as Japan's Central Readiness Force and the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in India, and exchanging lessons learned of peace-keeping and peace-building. The Japanese side appreciated the acceptance of the 2nd student officer at the training course of the CUNPK in February 2009.

12. The two Ministers recognized the importance of sharing experiences in disaster relief activities and humanitarian assistance. They also attached great importance to contribute to bilateral and regional cooperation (e.g. ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)) in the field of peace-keeping/peace-building and disaster relief. The Indian side highly valued the Japanese initiative through the Tokyo Defense Forum.

(Fight against Terrorism)

13. The two Ministers condemned terrorist activities and shared the determination to enhance cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

(Defense Cooperation and exchanges in 2010)

14. The two Ministers expressed their determination to take forward bilateral defense exchanges and cooperation in a meaningful way in 2010.

Tokyo, 9 November, 2009