India and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) on Maritime Security Cooperation, aiming to bolster their defense partnership and enhance naval coordination in the Indo-Pacific region. The agreement was reached during a bilateral dialogue in New Delhi between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi.
The pact provides a framework for strengthening cooperation between the naval forces of both countries, including information sharing in maritime domain awareness and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to maritime security cooperation, mine countermeasures, and joint shipbuilding, leveraging Japan's technological expertise and India's production capabilities under the 'Make in India' initiative.
Discussions also covered reciprocal ship repair facilities and the expansion of bilateral exercises, such as Dharma Guardian and JAIMEX. Notably, Japanese Air Self-Defence Force fighter aircraft will participate in the Veer Guardian 26 exercise in India for the first time. The ministers also agreed to deepen defense R&D cooperation between India's DRDO and Japan's ATLA and confirmed plans for a Defence Industry Forum.
The visit underscores the deepening strategic partnership between India and Japan, driven by shared democratic values and a common vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, particularly in light of China's assertiveness in the region. The two nations are also working to accelerate discussions towards convening the Fourth Japan-India foreign and defence ministerial (2+2) meeting in Tokyo later this year.
