Archive · 20 Aug 2026
India and Japan Set Roadmap for Deeper Defence Cooperation
India and Japan want to work more closely on defence and security.
Their defence ministers, Rajnath Singh and Shinjiro Koizumi, will meet in New Delhi on Thursday.
They will discuss how to keep the seas safer and cooperate on defence equipment and technology.
Some of this cooperation could take place through India’s Make-in-India programme.
Japan recently changed its rules for transferring defence equipment and technology.
Koizumi visited the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command in Mumbai during his first visit to India.
He inspected a Guard of Honour, laid a wreath and visited the ship INS Chennai.
Indian Navy officials briefed him about the navy’s work and capabilities.
The countries hope their partnership will help make the Indo-Pacific more stable and secure.
Rajnath Singh and Shinjiro Koizumi will hold bilateral talks in New Delhi on Thursday.
The ministers will discuss maritime security and defence equipment and technology cooperation under India’s Make-in-India framework.
Their meeting is expected to produce a roadmap for broader bilateral defence and security cooperation.
During his first India visit, Koizumi inspected the Western Naval Command, visited INS Chennai and met senior Indian Navy officials.
India and Japan aim to support a free, open, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
- Who
- Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, along with senior Indian Navy officials.
- What
- A bilateral meeting focused on defence cooperation, maritime security, defence technology and the Indo-Pacific.
- When
- Koizumi visited Mumbai on Wednesday; the bilateral meeting is scheduled for Thursday. His visit is described as two days.
- Where
- The talks will take place in New Delhi, while Koizumi’s naval visit took place in Mumbai.
- Why
- To strengthen defence relations, increase strategic cooperation, identify new collaboration areas and promote Indo-Pacific stability and security.
- Indian defence minister
- Rajnath Singh
- Japanese defence minister
- Shinjiro Koizumi
- Main discussion areas
- Maritime security, defence equipment and defence technology cooperation
- Industrial framework
- India’s Make-in-India framework
- Japanese policy change
- Revision of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology
- Mumbai programme
- Koizumi visited the Western Naval Command, Gaurav Stambh and INS Chennai
- Regional vision
- A free, open, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific
- Related agreements
- The articles report that India and Japan signed more than $10 billion in agreements during Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit, including a goal of 10 trillion yen in Japanese investment over the next decade
