Japan Backs India After Pahalgam Terror Attack as Rajnath Singh Slams Pakistan’s Role in Cross-Border Terrorism
Japan extended its full support to India on Monday following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
During a high-level meeting in New Delhi, India condemned Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism and emphasized the need for unified global action against such threats.
Singh Condemns Pakistan’s Role in Terrorism
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Japanese counterpart, Gen Nakatani, at a critical time when India is weighing military options against Pakistan.
Singh asserted that terrorist attacks destabilize peace and security in the region and called for “a unified stand against terrorism and state-sponsored actions that perpetuate it.”
The defence ministry said in a statement, “During the meeting, both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and emphasised the need for global cooperation in this regard.”
India Considers Firm Actions Against Pakistan
Following the April 22 terror strike, Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted India’s armed forces complete operational freedom to choose “the mode, targets, and timing of the response.” Since then, India has initiated several punitive steps:
- Banning imports from Pakistan
- Prohibiting Pakistani-flagged ships from Indian ports
- Closing Indian airspace to aircraft from Pakistan
- Suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty
- Downgrading diplomatic relations
- Expelling most Pakistani citizens
- Shutting the Attari land border crossing
India is also lobbying at international platforms to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and financially.
This includes opposing attempts by Islamabad and Beijing to divert global attention at the UN Security Council and asking the International Monetary Fund to reassess loans to Pakistan.
Outreach to Global Stakeholders
India has reached out to permanent and non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, ensuring the focus stays on cross-border terrorism. It is also considering a move to push the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to place Pakistan on its “grey list” due to concerns over terror financing.
India conveyed to the United States that the Pahalgam attack exposes Pakistan as a destabilizing force, and the global community must not overlook its actions.
Japan Offers Condolences and Support
Minister Nakatani expressed condolences for the victims of the Pahalgam attack and offered “full support” to India. Singh thanked Japan for its strong show of solidarity during the bilateral talks.
“I would like to thank the government of Japan for their strong expression of solidarity with India in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack,” Singh said at the start of delegation-level talks.
Focus on Bilateral Defence Cooperation
The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Japan relationship and contributing to regional peace.
They welcomed the increasing diversity and frequency of defence exercises and agreed to further expand the “scope and complexity” of their engagements.
The defence ministry said, “The ministers welcomed the growing diversity and frequency of defence exercises and exchanges between the two countries and agreed to enhance the scope and complexity of these engagements.”
Singh also highlighted India’s defence industrial capabilities and discussed potential cooperation in manufacturing tank engines and aero engines. He noted India’s strengths in local maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations.
Collaboration in Emerging Technologies
Both ministers agreed to enhance industrial collaboration in cutting-edge fields like automation and artificial intelligence. They also committed to advancing cooperation in new domains such as cyber security and space technology.
“Both sides agreed to enhance industry cooperation, including exploring collaboration in niche domains such as automation and artificial intelligence. The two ministers also decided to take cooperation forward in emerging areas like cyber and space,” the ministry said.
Long-Term Strategic Partnership
Singh emphasized the Special Strategic and Global Partnership shared between India and Japan.
“India shares a Special, Strategic and Global partnership with Japan. During the bilateral meeting we discussed defence cooperation and regional security,” Singh posted on social media.
The meeting marked the second encounter between the two defence leaders in six months. Their first interaction occurred in November on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Lao PDR.
At that time, Singh and Nakatani discussed a reciprocal provision of supply and services agreement to enhance interoperability.
Once formalized, this agreement will enable the armed forces of both countries to access each other’s military bases for repairs and resupply, boosting overall defence collaboration.
