India, Japan sign maritime security pact to deepen defence cooperation

India, Japan sign maritime security pact to deepen defence cooperation Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in bilateral discussions with Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi, welcomed Japan's recent review of its defence equipment and technology transfer framework.

Key points

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi during the India-Japan Defence Ministers' session, on August 20, 2026, in New Delhi.
• They additionally agreed to accelerate discussions for the fourth India-Japan "2+2" Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue, to be held in Tokyo this year.
• The Ministers welcomed the expansion of bilateral military exercises, including Dharma Guardian and JAIMEX, and the planned Veer Guardian 26 air exercise.
• The two countries will promote exchanges between their Special Operations Forces and pursue cooperation with India's integrated theatre commands after their establishment.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed Japan's recent review of its defence equipment and technology transfer framework, seeking deeper defence and technology cooperation.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi during the India-Japan Defence Ministers' session, on August 20, 2026, in New Delhi. Credit: X/@SpokespersonMoD.

As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi held bilateral discussions, India and Japan on Thursday (August 20, 2026) signed a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) on Maritime Security Cooperation and agreed to deepen operational cooperation – including information sharing, naval exercises, ship repair and logistics backing.

According to the Defence Ministry, the two Ministers, in their discussions in New Delhi, reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen defence cooperation under the "Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership" and work towards a free and open Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of heightened global tensions.

For context, the two sides expressed solid opposition to unilateral actions that impede freedom and safety of navigation and overflight, and to attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.

Notably, the newly signed maritime security arrangement provides a framework for closer cooperation between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Indian Navy, including Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Notably, the Ministers additionally agreed to strengthen coordination for the protection of Sea Lines of Communications through reciprocal naval visits, joint exercises, personnel and subject matter expert exchanges, and logistical backing, including access to ports and maintenance and repair facilities.

India and Japan will additionally move towards greater cooperation in mine countermeasures and explore the possibility of joint development in naval shipbuilding and design by leveraging Japan's technological expertise and India's production capabilities. The two sides will additionally discuss greater apply of India's shipbuilding capabilities under the "Make in India" framework and work towards reciprocal provision of ship repair facilities.

For context, the Ministers welcomed the expansion of bilateral military exercises, including Dharma Guardian and JAIMEX, and the planned Veer Guardian 26 air exercise. Japanese fighter aircraft will participate in the exercise in India for the first time. The two sides additionally agreed to enhance the complexity of bilateral exercises, integrate unmanned systems and explore short-notice joint exercises.

Meanwhile, the two countries will promote exchanges between their Special Operations Forces and pursue cooperation with India's integrated theatre commands after their establishment.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed Japan's recent review of its defence equipment and technology transfer framework, seeking deeper defence and technology cooperation. The two sides identified the shipborne UNICORN integrated communications antenna system as a symbol of their growing defence equipment partnership and committed to its early realisation.

While a Defence Industry Forum will additionally be convened, india's DRDO and Japan's ATLA will deepen cooperation in advanced defence technologies.

For context, the Ministers further agreed to establish a Working Group, headed at the Director-General/Joint Secretary level, to coordinate cooperation throughout operational, intelligence, equipment, technology and industrial domains.

Taken together, the developments around india, Japan sign maritime security pact to deepen defence cooperation point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.