India and Japan today asked all parties involved in the South China Sea row to resolve the dispute through peaceful means without threat or use of force and "show utmost respect" for the verdict of a UN-backed tribunal.
At a meeting between Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani here, the two countries called for stronger international partnership in combating terrorism due to its evolving character.
They also decided to explore setting up of a maritime strategic dialogue between their Defence Ministers.
Parrikar and Nakatani recognised that security and stability in the seas connecting Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean are indispensable for peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.
The ministers expressed concern over recent developments in this regard, according to a statement released by the Japanese Embassy after the delegation level talks.
They reaffirmed the importance of respecting international law, as reflected notably in the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), for the peaceful settlement of disputes without any threat or use of force, and of ensuring freedom and safety of navigation and over-flight as well as unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters, it added.
In this context, they urged all parties to show utmost respect for the award of the arbitral tribunal on the South China Sea under UNCLOS on July 12.
The tribunal ruled that China has no legal basis to claim "historic rights" to islands in South China Sea.
The statement said there was shared recognition that imperatives of a stronger bilateral strategic partnership require deep and broad-based cooperation and concrete actions in defence and security fields.
The two countries can work together to respond to global and regional challenges and jointly contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.
The Ministers exchanged views and ideas on a wide range of issues pertaining to the current regional and international security situation as well as deepening of bilateral defence cooperation and exchanges, the statement said.
They also explained to each other their respective defence policies to promote mutual understanding.
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The two leaders expressed condolences to both Japanese and Indian victims of the terrorist attack perpetrated in Bangladesh on July 16.
They condemned the brutal act of terrorism and reaffirmed that all forms and manifestations of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable under all circumstances, and noted that terrorism poses one of the most serious threats to the peace and security of the international community as well as to the stability and development of the region.
They shared their concerns about the growing threat and universal reach of extremism. They emphasised that the evolving character of terrorism called for stronger international partnership in combating terrorism.
The Ministers expressed grave concern over North Korea's continued development of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.
They urged North Korea to take concrete actions towards denuclearisation and other goals as well as to fully comply with its international obligations.
The Ministers expressed satisfaction at strengthening of the foundation for bilateral defence cooperation and exchanges. At the same time, they underlined their intention to explore more concrete and effective cooperation and decided to promote cooperation and exchanges.
It was also decided that Japan Ground Self-Defence Force will send officers to India's Counter-Insurgency Jungle Warfare School (CIJW) as part of experts-level exchange in the field of counter-terrorism.
The Ministers expressed their satisfaction at close linkages between Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF).
Welcoming the addition of Japan in the Malabar exercise with the US on a permanent basis, the Ministers also agreed to explore the possibility for JMSDF and Indian Navy to conduct a joint bilateral exercise.
They agreed to hold the second round of the Joint Working Group on Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation (DETC) as early as possible in this year to identify specific items and areas for cooperation.
The Ministers commended the effort made by both countries regarding the cooperation on US-2 amphibious aircraft which was launched in 2013, the statement said.
