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)

India and Japan have taken a significant step towards deepening their strategic partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi unveiling an ambitious roadmap to strengthen cooperation across defence, artificial intelligence (AI), economic security, clean energy and critical technologies.

Takaichi concluded her three-day maiden visit to India on Friday after co-chairing the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, during which the two countries signed 16 major agreements aimed at expanding cooperation beyond traditional trade and diplomacy.

The summit marked a strategic shift in bilateral ties, highlighted by the launch of the first-ever India-Japan defence co-development project, enhanced collaboration in emerging technologies, and a renewed commitment to maintaining a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

Defence Cooperation Reaches New Milestone

One of the most significant outcomes of the summit was the signing of the Naval Radio Antenna Programme, the first joint defence co-development initiative between the two countries. The project is expected to pave the way for broader collaboration in defence technology, maritime security and regional stability.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation through regular military exchanges, technology partnerships and joint initiatives aimed at enhancing regional security.

AI, Semiconductors and Economic Security in Focus

Artificial intelligence and economic resilience emerged as key priorities during the summit.

India and Japan signed a Joint Declaration on Economic Security, focusing on building resilient supply chains in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, clean energy, information technology and artificial intelligence.

A separate AI cooperation agreement was also announced, under which both countries will collaborate on AI research, advanced computing infrastructure, safe and human-centric AI development, and innovation across the technology ecosystem.

As part of the collaboration, the IndiaAI Mission and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will jointly promote AI research and business partnerships.

Leading academic and technology institutions, including IIT Bombay, BharatGen Technology Foundation, Japan's National Institute of Informatics, SarvamAI and Preferred Networks, will work together on developing next-generation large language models (LLMs) and AI foundation models.

Cooperation Expands Across Key Sectors

The summit also produced agreements covering battery manufacturing, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, internet governance and sustainable agriculture.

Among the notable initiatives is a plan to establish 1,000 biogas and organic fertiliser plants across India through the country's dairy cooperative network.

Scientific collaboration will also receive a boost through partnerships involving India's C-CAMP and NCBS-TIFR with Japan's RIKEN, focusing on healthcare, agriculture, biotechnology and environmental sciences.

Additionally, both countries launched a Next Generation Mobility Partnership to enhance cooperation in railways, automobiles, aviation, shipbuilding and logistics.

Joint Stand Against Terrorism

India and Japan reiterated their shared commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms.

The two leaders strongly condemned the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and called for stronger international action against terrorism, including measures to curb terror financing, dismantle safe havens and prevent the use of proxy groups.

Both sides also reaffirmed support for comprehensive United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms and pledged to continue working with fellow G4 nations to make the global body more representative of contemporary geopolitical realities.

Cultural Diplomacy Adds Personal Touch

Beyond strategic agreements, Takaichi's visit also generated interest for its cultural symbolism.

Prime Minister Modi and his Japanese counterpart greeted each other with the traditional Indian "Namaste", with folded hands, during official engagements. Japan's Cabinet Public Relations Office highlighted the significance of the gesture, noting that the Anjali Mudra represents respect, humility and gratitude.

The leaders also announced that 2027 will be celebrated as the India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons, commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Describing the visit as a milestone, India's Ministry of External Affairs said the agreements signed during the summit have further strengthened the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, positioning both nations to cooperate more closely on regional security, advanced technology and economic resilience in the years ahead.