New Delhi: India and Japan on Monday, July 13, 2026, reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening bilateral defence cooperation and expanding collaboration in emerging security domains during the 8th India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue held in Tokyo.
The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, while the Japanese delegation was headed by Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs Kano Koji. During the dialogue, both sides reviewed the progress made since the previous round of talks and reiterated their resolve to further strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
The discussions covered the prevailing regional and global security landscape, with both countries exchanging views on issues of mutual strategic importance. They reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral defence cooperation, including military-to-military exchanges, coordination between the two countries’ joint headquarters, maritime cooperation, joint military exercises, capacity building, and defence equipment and technology collaboration, particularly in the maritime domain.
Both sides welcomed the steady growth in defence engagement and stressed the need to sustain regular high-level exchanges and institutional dialogue mechanisms. They also discussed the agenda and expected outcomes of forthcoming ministerial-level engagements, including the India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue scheduled later this year.
The dialogue also focused on expanding cooperation in emerging areas such as defence industrial collaboration, technological innovation, cybersecurity, space and other domains of shared strategic interest. Expressing satisfaction over the increasing convergence of views on regional and global security issues, India and Japan agreed to continue working together to promote a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific anchored in respect for international law.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh appreciated Japan’s continued engagement with India in the defence sector and emphasised the need to further strengthen practical cooperation under the framework of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Kano Koji reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to expanding defence ties with India across key priority areas.
Earlier in the day, Rajesh Kumar Singh called on Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and conveyed greetings from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The two leaders reaffirmed the growing momentum in bilateral defence relations, while the Defence Secretary also extended an invitation from Rajnath Singh to his Japanese counterpart to visit India at the earliest opportunity.
The Defence Secretary commenced his visit by laying a wreath at the Self-Defense Forces Memorial Stone in Tokyo, paying homage to members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of their country. The visit highlighted the steadily expanding defence partnership between India and Japan and reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring peace, security and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
