Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi Arrives in India; Maritime Security, Defence Cooperation in Focus

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday for his maiden official visit to India, with strengthening bilateral defence ties and maritime security cooperation at the centre of his two-day programme. (DD India)

Japanese Ambassador to India Keiichi Ono welcomed Koizumi and said the opening discussions had been fruitful. In a post on X, Ono said the programme began with a visit to the Western Naval Command and discussions on advancing maritime cooperation between the two countries. (DD India)

Visit to Western Naval Command

During his Mumbai engagements, Koizumi inspected a Guard of Honour at the Western Naval Command and laid a wreath at the Gaurav Stambh at the Naval Dockyard.

He also visited the indigenous stealth destroyer INS Chennai, where he was briefed on the Indian Navy's operational capabilities, roles and regional responsibilities. Koizumi held discussions with Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahajan Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. (The Tribune)

Rajnath Singh Meeting

Koizumi is scheduled to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Thursday. The two ministers are expected to discuss ways to deepen India-Japan defence cooperation, strengthen strategic trust and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. (The Tribune)

The discussions are also expected to cover maritime security cooperation and collaboration in defence equipment and technology under the Make-in-India framework.

Focus on Indo-Pacific

The visit comes as India and Japan seek to expand their strategic and defence partnership in the Indo-Pacific. Japan's recent revision of its Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology is also expected to provide scope for deeper cooperation in defence technology and equipment.

The Indian Defence Ministry said the bilateral meeting would provide an opportunity to develop a roadmap for further strengthening defence and security cooperation between the two countries. (The Tribune)