India, Japan discuss maritime security and defence technology

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi co-chaired the India-Japan Defence Ministers Meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.

The meeting is expected to further strengthen bilateral defence relations, enhance strategic trust and cooperation, promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region and identify new areas of collaboration.

The two ministers will exchange views on deeper maritime security cooperation and closer defence equipment and technology collaboration under the ‘Make-in-India’ framework, following Japan’s revision of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology.

The meeting provides an opportunity to build a roadmap for further advancing bilateral defence and security cooperation.

Earlier on Thursday morning, the Japanese defence minister laid a wreath at the National War Memorial. He later received a ceremonial guard of honour at the Manekshaw Centre in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Rajnath Singh described the meeting as an important step towards stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

In a post on X, Singh said:

“An important step towards stability in the Indo-Pacific region!

In New Delhi, I held a highly meaningful meeting with Japan’s Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi (@shinjirokoiz). In the meeting, we exchanged views, centering on strengthening maritime security cooperation, promoting defense technology cooperation under the “Make in India” initiative, and further deepening our strategic trust relationship. 🇮🇳🇯🇵”

In another post, Singh said:

“A milestone for Indo-Pacific stability! Had a very productive meeting with Japan’s Minister of Defence, @shinjirokoiz San in New Delhi. Our discussions focused on deepening maritime security, ‘Make in India’ defence technology, and expanding strategic trust. 🇮🇳🇯🇵”