India and Japan will discuss the entire range of strategic and defence ties during the first 2+2 talks here on Saturday including external and Defence Ministers of the two nations.  The two sides are likely to further enhance maritime security co-operation in strategic waters including Indo-Pacific region.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will head the Indian delegation while the Japanese side will be led by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Minister of Defence Taro Kono.

"The 2+2 meeting would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the status of and exchange further views on strengthening defence and security cooperation between India and Japan," the external affairs ministry said here.

The talks under the new framework is taking place following a decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during the 13th India-Japan annual summit last year.

The two leaders decided to institute the new mechanism for further deepening bilateral security and defence cooperation and bring greater depth to the special strategic and global partnership between the two countries.        

The ministry said the two sides will also exchange views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and their respective efforts under India's 'Act East Policy' and Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision' to achieve their shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress in the region.

India and Japan for the last few years are holding joint maritime exercises to secure their sea lanes and the forthcoming talks will seek ways to further increase the co-operation, sources said.