India, Japan agree to deepen maritime security cooperation, explore joint naval shipbuilding

India and Japan on Thursday agreed to deepen maritime security cooperation, and decided to explore the possibility of joint development in naval shipbuilding and design.

The agreement was reached at a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi.

The two sides signed a memorandum of arrangement on maritime security cooperation, which provides a framework for strengthening cooperation between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

The pact includes information sharing in the field of maritime domain awareness, as well as greater cooperation in search and rescue and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, according to a joint statement issued after the meeting.

“A milestone for Indo-Pacific stability! Had a very productive meeting with Japan’s Minister of Defence, @shinjirokoiz San in New Delhi,” Singh posted on X. “Our discussions focused on deepening maritime security, 'Make in India' defence technology, and expanding strategic trust.”

The ministers also agreed to strengthen coordination for the protection of sea lines of communication through mutual visits by naval ships and units, joint exercises, personnel and subject matter expert exchanges, and logistical support, including the use of ports and maintenance and repair facilities.

The two sides agreed to move swiftly to implement concrete maritime security cooperation and maximise synergies in mine countermeasures capabilities.

They also agreed to explore the possibility of joint development in naval shipbuilding and design by leveraging Japan's technological expertise and India's production capabilities.

The ministers further agreed to deepen discussions on Japan's use of India's production capabilities under the "Make in India" framework and to work towards a ship repair arrangement in the near future.

The two countries also welcomed the expansion of bilateral military exercises, including the Army exercise 'Dharma Guardian' and maritime exercise 'JAIMEX'.

They particularly welcomed progress towards the Japan-India Air Force exercise 'Veer Guardian 26', scheduled to be held this year. Japanese Air Self-Defence Force fighter aircraft will, for the first time, visit India to participate in the exercise.

The ministers agreed to make bilateral exercises more complex, integrate unmanned systems and pursue joint exercises at short notice whenever opportunities arise.

They also agreed to promote exchanges between their Special Operations Forces and pursue cooperation with India's integrated theatre commands after their establishment.

Singh welcomed Japan's recent review of its framework for the transfer of defence equipment and technology and expressed expectations for further deepening of the bilateral defence and technology partnership.

They agreed to advance discussions between the two countries' armed forces on operational requirements for other defence equipment and technology projects and deepen defence research and development cooperation between India's DRDO and Japan's ATLA in advanced defence technologies.

The two sides also decided to convene a Defence Industry Forum.

The ministers welcomed the first trilateral naval PASSEX exercise involving India, Japan and Indonesia, held in February, and agreed to deepen cooperation with third countries through high-level exchanges, exercises and other initiatives.

They also agreed to promote cooperation through the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network to support partner countries during natural disasters by transporting personnel and supplies.

The second tabletop exercise of the network is scheduled to be held at Japan's Ministry of Defense in September, the statement said.

The ministers also agreed to accelerate discussions on convening the fourth Japan-India Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting, or "2+2", in Tokyo this year.