Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjirō Koizumi held a bilateral dialogue in New Delhi. Koizumi is on his maiden visit to India and the visit is seen as an expansion of the ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ between the two countries, which is gaining importance in light of an assertive China across the Indo-Pacific region. The special strategic partnership, which was formalised in 2014 has continuously been strengthened by the leadership of the two countries, with PM Modi visiting Japan eight times. The strategic relationship has been anchored by shared democratic values and a common vision for a free and open Indo‑Pacific. During the meeting the defence minister of both the nations signed a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) on maritime security cooperation. This agreement provides a framework for strengthening cooperation between the naval forces of the two countries information sharing in the realm of maritime domain awareness and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
Defence cooperation between New Delhi and Tokyo has accelerated in recent years. A series of agreements since 2014 have institutionalised exchanges, ranging from the Memorandum of Defence Cooperation to the Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services pact signed in 2020. This framework has been operationalised during naval wargames such as MILAN and JAIMEX. These exercises have enabled seamless logistics during visit of ships and aircraft alike. The co‑development of Japan’s UNICORN integrated communications antenna system for the Indian Navy, a deal that was formalised in 2024, represents the first joint equipment project between the two countries.The current visit has seen the defence ministers of both nations reaffirm their commitment to maritime security cooperation, mine countermeasures and joint shipbuilding. Japan’s technological expertise and India’s production capabilities are being aligned under the “Make in India” framework, with discussions on reciprocal ship repair facilities progressing. The two sides welcomed the expansion of bilateral exercises, including Dharma Guardian and JAIMEX, and looked ahead to Veer Guardian 26, which will see Japanese fighter aircraft participate in India for the first time. Both ministers also emphasised the importance of deepening defence R&D cooperation between Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Japan’s Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA), and confirmed plans to convene a Defence Industry Forum.The two countries have also decided to accelerate discussions towards convening the Fourth Japan-India foreign and defence ministerial (2+2) meeting that is scheduled to be held in Tokyo later this year. Besides this, Singh and Koizumi are working to further promote cooperation through the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN). This initiative supports partner countries during natural disasters by facilitating the transportation of personnel and supplies for humaitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.Beyond defence, the visit reaffirmed the salience of economic security as a foundational pillar of the partnership. The synergy between Japan’s Free and Open Indo‑Pacific vision and India’s Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR) initiative provides strategic impetus to cooperation. Both sides are committed to elevating economic security ties, recognising that prosperity and security are intertwined.The Japanese Defence Minister’s presence in India is thus more than ceremonial. It reflects a partnership that has evolved from cultural affinity into strategic convergence. The two nations have an enduring and rich cultural history, with links dating back to 752 AD, when Bodhisena, an Indian monk, consecrated the Great Buddha at Nara’s Todaiji Temple. In modern times, figures such as Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Rash Behari Bose deepened the bonds of friendship. The Japan‑India Association, founded in 1903, is Japan’s oldest international friendship body. From Bodhisena’s consecration at Nara to joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean, the arc of India‑Japan relations is long, resilient and central pillar to keeping the Indo-Pacific open for all.