Defense
Defense chiefs agree on wide-ranging maritime cooperation
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, right, and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi on Aug. 20. (Photo from Rajnath Singh’s X post)
KIRAN SHARMA
August 20, 2026 21:37 JST
NEW DELHI — India and Japan on Thursday signed a landmark defense agreement aimed at deepening their maritime security cooperation and strengthening their capabilities against naval mines. The pact, signed by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi, also underscores a shared commitment to joint research and development in advanced defense technologies.
Under the agreement, the two nations pledged to enhance their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on maritime domain awareness, interoperability, and counter-measures against underwater threats. The collaboration is seen as a critical step in ensuring free and open navigation in key sea lanes.
Both defense chiefs agreed that the pact represents a significant milestone in bilateral relations, paving the way for more frequent joint exercises, technological exchanges, and coordinated responses to regional security challenges.
