Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether Indo-Japan Foreign Secretary level talks were held in Tokyo recently;
(b) if so, the details of deliberations held, agreements signed and future co-operation envisaged during the said talks; and
(c) the current status regarding the supply of strategic amphibious aircraft by Japan?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) & (b) A round of Foreign Secretary level discussion was held with Japan in Tokyo on February 26, 2016. The two sides reviewed all matters of common interest including bilateral and regional issues. During discussions, the two sides shared their assessment of implementation of various agreements and understandings reached during the visit of Prime Minister to Japan in September 2014 and Prime Minister of Japan to India in December 2015.
(c) Defence cooperation has been identified as an important area of bilateral cooperation under India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Two agreements, on Defence Exchange and Technology Cooperation and Protection of Classified Military Information were signed during Prime Minister Abe’s visit to India in December 2015. These agreements lay down the framework for enhanced cooperation in defence including through joint research, development and production. Area of defence cooperation being discussed between the two sides include the US-2 amphibian aircraft.