Rajnath Singh and Shinjiro Koizumi will discuss maritime security and defence technology cooperation during talks in New Delhi on Thursday.
India and Japan will hold high-level defence talks in New Delhi on Thursday, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh set to meet his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.
The talks will focus on strengthening bilateral defence relations, building strategic trust and cooperation, supporting stability and security in the Indo-Pacific, and identifying new areas for collaboration.
Key Points
- Rajnath Singh and Shinjiro Koizumi will meet in New Delhi on Thursday.
- The ministers will discuss deeper cooperation on maritime security.
- Defence equipment and technology collaboration under the Make in India framework will also be on the agenda.
- Koizumi visited the Western Naval Command in Mumbai on Wednesday during his maiden visit to India.
- The two-day visit comes amid efforts by India and Japan to expand their defence partnership.
Maritime Security and Make in India on Agenda
According to the Defence Ministry statement, Singh and Koizumi will exchange views on strengthening maritime security cooperation.
The two sides will also discuss closer collaboration in defence equipment and technology under the Make in India framework, following Japan’s revision of its “Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology”.
The ministry said the meeting provides an opportunity to develop a roadmap for further advancing bilateral defence and security cooperation.
Koizumi Visits Western Naval Command
Koizumi, who is on his maiden visit to India, visited the Western Naval Command in Mumbai on Wednesday.
He held discussions with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan.
The Japanese delegation was briefed on the Indian Navy’s roles, responsibilities and operational capabilities.
Koizumi also inspected a Guard of Honour at the Western Naval Command. Earlier, he laid a wreath at the Gaurav Stambh at the Naval Dockyard and visited the indigenous ship INS Chennai.
India-Japan Defence Cooperation
India and Japan share a common vision of building a free, open, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
The Defence Ministry said Koizumi’s two-day visit reflects growing momentum in bilateral defence cooperation and the commitment of both countries to further expand their partnership.
The visit comes weeks after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Delhi for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the two sides agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation, the ministry added.
–IANS
