Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Sri Lankan Deputy Defense Minister Aruna Jayasekara agreed on Sunday to strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ defense forces to promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Japan’s second defense ministerial visit to Sri Lanka highlights the island nation’s location along strategic sea lanes and the importance Japan attaches to its relations with Sri Lanka in the face of China’s growing economic and military influence in the region. During the talks in Colombo, Nakatani expressed “serious concern over attempts to unilaterally change the status quo.” Nakatani also emphasized that strengthening the partnership between the two countries in the face of “growing uncertainties in the international situation” is vital for regional prosperity. According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, the two sides are planning projects to deepen defense cooperation covering land, air and naval forces. These projects include the Sri Lankan Army observing disaster response drills in Japan and joint efforts to improve air rescue and medical flight capabilities. Nakatani also met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on the same day and stressed the importance of maintaining a free and open maritime order and strengthening defense cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
