India, Japan to deepen defence cooperation as ministers meet in Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 19. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi on August 20, with the two sides expected to discuss ways to further strengthen defence ties and expand strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
The meeting is expected to focus on enhancing mutual trust, promoting regional stability and security, and identifying new areas of collaboration between India and Japan.
The two ministers are likely to exchange views on strengthening maritime security cooperation and expanding collaboration in defence equipment and technology under India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. The discussions come after Japan’s revision of its Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology, which could open new opportunities for bilateral defence-industrial cooperation.
The talks are also expected to lay out a roadmap for advancing India-Japan defence and security cooperation in the coming years.
Koizumi, who is on his maiden visit to India, visited the Western Naval Command in Mumbai on August 19. He held discussions with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan.
The Japanese delegation was briefed on the Indian Navy’s responsibilities, operational capabilities and role in maritime security. During his visit, Koizumi inspected a guard of honour and laid a wreath at the Gaurav Stambh at the Naval Dockyard. He also visited INS Chennai, an indigenously built Indian Navy destroyer.
India and Japan share a vision of a free, open, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Koizumi’s two-day visit comes amid growing momentum in bilateral defence cooperation and follows the recent India-Japan Annual Summit in New Delhi.
During the summit, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to further deepen defence and security cooperation, providing fresh impetus to the strategic partnership between the two countries.
