Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation Between India And Japan

The Prime Ministers of India and Japan,

Affirming that India-Japan relations are rooted in their similar perceptions of the evolving environment in the region and the world at large;

Recognizing their common commitment to democracy, open society, human rights and the rule of law;

Affirming their deep respect for each other's contribution in promoting peace, stability and development in Asia and beyond;

Recognizing that India and Japan are partners with a mutual stake in each other's progress and prosperity, and that a strong and prosperous India is in the interests of Japan and that a strong and prosperous Japan is in the interests of India;

Recognizing that India and Japan share common interest in the safety of sea lines of communications;

Affirming their common commitment to fight against terrorism and recognizing that counter-terrorism efforts by India and Japan, including the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force's replenishment activities in the Indian Ocean, constitute an important part in the international community's effort to eradicate terrorism;

Reiterating their common commitment in pursuing disarmament and non-proliferation as partners seeking a peaceful nuclear-weapon free world and working together against proliferation;
Reaffirming their common commitment to a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the expansion of the United Nations Security Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories;

Affirming the establishment of a Strategic and Global Partnership that is driven by converging long-term political, economic and strategic interests, aspirations and concerns;

Recognizing the importance of the steady and qualitative upgrade of mutual cooperation; and

Committing to working together in the future by increasing practical cooperation among the foreign affairs, defence and other related agencies of the two countries;

Have decided to create a comprehensive framework for the enhancement of security cooperation between the two countries.

Elements for Cooperation

The following elements will be included in security cooperation between India and Japan;

1. Information exchange and policy coordination on regional affairs in the Asia Pacific region and on long-term strategic and global issues.

2. Bilateral cooperation within multilateral frameworks in Asia, in particular the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum and ReCAAP processes.

3. Defence dialogue and cooperation within the framework of the Joint Statement signed in May 2006 between the two Defence Ministries.
4. Cooperation between Coast Guards

5. Safety of transport

6. Fight against terrorism and transnational crimes

7. Sharing of experiences in peacekeeping and peacebuilding

8. Disaster management

9. Disarmament and non-proliferation

Mechanisms of Cooperation

The following mechanisms will be included with a view to concretizing the above mentioned cooperation between the two countries;

1. Consultations will be conducted between the two Foreign Offices by way of;

a. Strategic Dialogue at Foreign Minister-level,
b. Meeting between the Foreign Secretary of India and the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan,
c. Dialogue on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation at Director General/Joint Secretary level,
d. Track 1.5 Strategic Dialogue.

2. Cooperation will be conducted between the two Defence Authorities by way of various ways such as;

a. Meetings between the Defence Ministers,
b. Meetings between the Defence Secretary of India and the Vice-Minister of Defense of Japan including Defence Policy Dialogue,
c. Military-to-Military Talks at Director General/Joint Secretary level,
d. Exchange of service chiefs,
e. Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks
f. Service-to-service exchanges including bilateral and multilateral exercises,
g. Exchange of students and researchers for respective defense institutions (for example, Indian National Defense College, Japanese National Institute for Defense Studies).
3. Consultation will be conducted between the National Security Advisor of India and the Japanese counterpart.

4. The two Coast Guards will continue to promote cooperation to ensure maritime safety, maritime security and to protect marine environment through joint exercise and meeting between the two Coast Guards according to the Memorandum on Cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard.

5. In relation to the safety of transport, Shipping Policy Forum will be conducted between Maritime Authorities and private sectors, and consultation will be conducted between Railway Authorities.

6. Comprehensive Security Dialogue will be conducted at Director General/Joint Secretary level.

7. Bilateral consultation will be conducted to promote counter-terrorism cooperation through such means as Joint Working Group on counter terrorism between the relevant government offices including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

8. Mechanism of sharing of information will be sought with regard to suspicious transaction on money laundering and terrorist financing between the two Financial Intelligence Units.

9. Cooperation will be conducted to develop Tsunami Disaster Map in India.

10. The two sides will promote capacity building in disaster prevention, preparedness, sharing knowledge and experience of both countries.

11. Cooperation will be conducted between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in the field of disaster management.

Implementation

India and Japan will develop an action plan with specific measures to advance security cooperation in the above areas and report to the Prime Ministers at an early date.

Tokyo,
October 22, 2008