India, Japan Hold Third '2+2' Dialogue

India and Japan held their third '2+2' dialogue in New Delhi, focusing on strengthening their strategic partnership amid China's increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. The talks, led by Indian ministers S. Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh and their Japanese counterparts Yoko Kamikawa and Minoru Kihara, emphasized the need for reliable partners in a volatile world, aligning with the broader goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Discussions included defense collaboration, technology transfers, and updating their 2008 joint security declaration. Both nations, also part of the Quad alliance, reviewed bilateral cooperation and regional issues including China's rise, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the Gaza crisis. The dialogue is a continuation of efforts to bolster security and defense ties, with a potential formal announcement expected later this year.