Archive · 20 Aug 2026
India, Japan Seek Closer Alignment on Indo-Pacific Visions
India and Japan held talks about working more closely on defence and security.
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi.
Singh said the Indian and Pacific Oceans are closely connected.
He said both countries should better coordinate their regional plans.
India calls its plan MAHASAGAR, which focuses on security and growth across regions.
Japan has a plan called a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
The ministers discussed maritime safety, defence technology, and building trust.
Singh also offered help and sympathy after an earthquake in Japan’s Kumamoto region.
Rajnath Singh said India’s MAHASAGAR vision and Japan’s FOIP initiative should align more closely.
Singh said the Indian and Pacific Oceans are strategically interconnected and face growing maritime vulnerabilities.
The ministers discussed maritime security, defence technology under Make in India, and expanded strategic trust.
Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his delegation visited India, including engagements with the Western Naval Command.
Singh expressed solidarity with Japan after the Kumamoto earthquake and reaffirmed India’s readiness to provide assistance.
- Who
- Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.
- What
- They discussed closer India-Japan defence and security cooperation, including maritime security, defence technology, and strategic trust.
- When
- The meeting took place on Thursday; Koizumi’s delegation arrived in India on Wednesday.
- Where
- The meeting was held in New Delhi, after the delegation’s engagements with India’s Western Naval Command in Mumbai.
- Why
- The ministers said closer cooperation is needed to address maritime vulnerabilities and support peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
- India’s vision
- MAHASAGAR means “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.”
- Japan’s initiative
- Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific, or FOIP, initiative.
- Key discussion areas
- Maritime security, Make in India defence technology, and strategic trust.
- Delegation visit
- The Japanese delegation visited the Western Naval Command in Mumbai before travelling to New Delhi.
- Earthquake response
- Singh expressed solidarity with Japan after the devastating earthquake in the Kumamoto region.
- Diplomatic milestone
- India and Japan will celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations next year.