India, Japan Deepen Maritime Security Ties
India and Japan have agreed to deepen maritime security and defence cooperation after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi. The two sides signed a new maritime security arrangement and discussed expanded naval coordination, defence technology and shipbuilding cooperation amid growing strategic concerns in the Indo-Pacific.
India Japan Sign Maritime Security Agreement
The two defence ministers signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation aimed at strengthening coordination between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The framework covers information sharing for maritime domain awareness, search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining freedom and safety of navigation and overflight across the Indo-Pacific.
India Japan Explore Joint Naval Shipbuilding
India and Japan agreed to explore cooperation in naval shipbuilding and design by combining Japanese technology with India’s expanding defence manufacturing capabilities.
Discussions covered potential collaboration in ship construction, maintenance, repair and overhaul, mine countermeasures and defence equipment development under the Make in India framework.
The two countries also plan to expand military exercises and interoperability between their armed forces.
China Activities Shape Indo-Pacific Security Focus
The growing defence partnership comes amid concerns in both New Delhi and Tokyo over China’s expanding naval and military activity across the Indo-Pacific.
India and Japan reiterated their opposition to unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion.
Rajnath Singh said closer alignment between India’s MAHASAGAR maritime vision and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy had become increasingly important for regional peace and stability.
