India, Japan agree to deepen defence shipbuilding cooperation, maritime security
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India and Japan on Thursday agreed to accelerate cooperation in maritime security, mine countermeasures and naval shipbuilding, with the two countries seeking to leverage Japan’s technological expertise and India’s manufacturing capabilities under the 'Make in India' framework.
The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi on Thursday. The two ministers also signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation aimed at strengthening operational coordination between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Focus on maritime security, shipbuilding, and repair
The ministers agreed to move swiftly towards concrete maritime security cooperation aligned with the strategic and operational requirements of both countries. They also discussed enhancing mine countermeasures capabilities and exploring the possibility of joint development in naval shipbuilding and design.
The two sides agreed to leverage their respective strengths in defence shipbuilding and related areas, including exploring greater use of India’s production capabilities by Japan under the “Make in India” initiative.
India and Japan also agreed to advance reciprocal access to ship repair facilities, including efforts to conclude a ship repair arrangement in the near future.
The newly signed maritime security agreement provides a framework for deeper cooperation, including information sharing on Maritime Domain Awareness, as well as collaboration in search and rescue and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
The two countries will also strengthen coordination to protect Sea Lines of Communications through reciprocal naval ship visits, joint exercises, personnel and subject matter expert exchanges, and logistical support, including access to ports and maintenance and repair facilities.
Air, naval exercises to expand
The two ministers welcomed the steady expansion of bilateral military exercises, including the Japan-India Army exercise “Dharma Guardian” and the Japan-India Maritime Exercise “JAIMEX”.
They also highlighted preparations for “Veer Guardian 26”, the bilateral air force exercise scheduled to be held in India later this year. The exercise will mark the first visit of Japan Air Self-Defence Force fighter aircraft to India for participation in the drill.
The two sides agreed to make future exercises more complex, integrate unmanned systems and pursue short-notice joint exercises where opportunities arise. They also agreed to promote exchanges between their Special Operations Forces and explore cooperation with India’s integrated theatre commands after their establishment.
Defence technology partnership gets fresh push
Singh welcomed Japan’s recent review of its framework governing the transfer of defence equipment and technology and expressed expectations for further strengthening the bilateral defence and technology partnership.
The two ministers identified the shipborne UNICORN integrated communications antenna system as a symbol of growing cooperation in defence equipment and technology transfers. They committed to working towards the early implementation of the project, which is the first defence equipment transfer project between the two countries.
India and Japan also agreed to advance discussions on additional defence equipment and technology projects based on the operational requirements of their respective armed forces. They further committed to strengthening defence research and development cooperation between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) in advanced defence technologies. The two sides also agreed to convene a Defence Industry Forum.
India, Japan look to expand Indo-Pacific cooperation
The ministers welcomed the first trilateral naval PASSEX exercise involving India, Japan and Indonesia, conducted in February 2026, and agreed to deepen cooperation with third countries through high-level exchanges, military exercises and other initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
They also agreed to advance cooperation through the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN), which supports partner countries during natural disasters by facilitating the transport of personnel and supplies. The second IPLN tabletop exercise is scheduled to be held at Japan’s Ministry of Defense in September.
The two ministers also agreed to accelerate discussions on convening the fourth Japan-India Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting, or “2+2”, in Tokyo later this year.
Reaffirming their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, the ministers stressed the importance of sharing assessments of the regional and international security environment amid heightened global tensions. They opposed unilateral actions that undermine freedom and safety of navigation and overflight, as well as attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion.