India, Japan review defence ties, deepen strategic cooperation at 8th Defence Policy Dialogue
By Aroonim Bhuyan
New Delhi/Tokyo, July 13. India and Japan on July 13 reviewed the full spectrum of their growing defence partnership and agreed to further expand cooperation across traditional and emerging security domains during the 8th India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue held in Tokyo.
The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, while Japan was represented by Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs Kano Koji. The two sides assessed the progress achieved since the previous dialogue and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership amid an evolving regional and global security environment.
During the discussions, both countries exchanged views on key regional and international security issues and reviewed ongoing defence engagements, including military-to-military exchanges, cooperation between joint headquarters, maritime security, bilateral and multilateral defence exercises, capacity building initiatives, defence equipment and technology collaboration, particularly in the maritime domain, and institutional interactions.
The two sides welcomed the steady expansion of bilateral defence cooperation and stressed the importance of sustaining regular high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms. They also discussed the agenda and expected outcomes of forthcoming ministerial engagements, including the India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue scheduled later this year.
Recognising the changing nature of security challenges, India and Japan explored avenues to deepen collaboration in emerging areas such as defence industrial cooperation, technological innovation, cyber security, space, and other strategic sectors. They noted the growing convergence in their approaches to regional and global security and reiterated their shared commitment to working together for a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific founded on respect for international law.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh appreciated Japan’s continued engagement with India in the defence sector and underscored the need to enhance practical cooperation under the framework of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Kano Koji reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to broadening defence ties with India across priority areas.
Earlier in the day, Singh called on Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and conveyed greetings from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed the growing momentum in bilateral strategic relations. The Defence Secretary also extended an invitation from Rajnath Singh to his Japanese counterpart to visit India at the earliest opportunity.
Singh began his visit by laying a wreath at the Self-Defence Forces Memorial Stone in Tokyo, paying tribute to members of the Japan Self-Defence Forces who laid down their lives in service of their nation.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the visit highlighted the growing depth of India-Japan defence relations, reflecting mutual trust and a shared commitment to peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
