Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described his meeting with Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan on Monday as ‘excellent’. Writing on microblogging website Twitter, he also talked about his informing Abe about the Indian Government’s commitment to enhance the defence engagements between the two countries. Furthermore, Singh credited PM Narendra Modi for the new strategic depth achieved by India and Japan in defence co-operation. Earlier in the day, the Defence Minister landed in Tokyo for a three-day visit. This will be followed by a two-day tour of South Korea. 

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'Special, strategic and global partnership'

After arriving in Japan, Singh expressed a desire that this visit would help strengthen the bilateral defence relations between the two countries. He emphasized that India and Japan shared a special, strategic and global partnership. Afterwards, he co-chaired the Japan-India Defence Ministerial meeting with Japanese Defence Minister Takashi Iwaya. They discussed ways to strengthen their partnership to maintain regional peace and security.  

Reiterates India’s stance on Article 370 

The Defence Minister also briefed Shinzo Abe on India’s position on scrapping of special status to Jammu & Kashmir. Sources told Republic TV that Singh made it very clear that talks and cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, could not go hand in hand. In the last few weeks, he has been very categorical in asserting India’s Pakistan policy. First, Singh had hinted that India might change its official “no first use” nuclear policy. Later, addressing an election rally in Haryana, he stressed that if talks were to be held between India and Pakistan, only Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) would be discussed.  

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