With eye on China, Japan considers security talks with Philippines and India

Japan is considering hosting separate talks with the Philippines and India next month involving their respective foreign and defense ministers to beef up security ties amid China’s growing maritime assertiveness, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.

Arrangements are being made for Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi to host “two-plus-two” meetings with their Philippines counterparts in early April, and their Indian counterparts in mid-April, according to the sources.

The talks are being planned as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine spurs concern that China could be emboldened to further intensify its military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, and as North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile launch last week has increased its nuclear threat.

The officials are expected to share the view that no unilateral attempt to alter the status quo in the region should be tolerated and to renew their pledge to promote a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” region, the sources said.

For Tokyo and Manila, the planned gathering will be their first-ever two-plus-two talks. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte agreed to consider launching the framework during phone talks in November.

From Manila, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana are expected to travel to Tokyo.

China has been routinely sending ships to waters near the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands, which Beijing claims and calls the Diaoyu. China is also involved in territorial disputes with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations in the South China Sea.

Tokyo and Manila are also expected to discuss arms exports to the Philippines and support for building up the Philippines military, according to the sources.

When Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visit, Japan aims to confirm the two countries’ readiness to strengthen defense cooperation in various fields, including outer space and cyberspace.

Tokyo is also likely to convey its stance to India that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, is “a serious violation of international law” that rocks the foundation of the international order. India has traditionally had close ties with Russia and has not condemned the country for its war.

Japan and India held their first two-plus-two talks in New Delhi in November 2019. The two nations signed an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement in September 2020 that enables them to exchange military supplies and logistical support. The accord took effect in July last year.

Besides India, Japan has held two-plus-two security talks with the United States, Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Indonesia and Russia.