India and Japan on Thursday agreed to further deepen defence and maritime security cooperation, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi signing a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation in New Delhi.
The agreement provides a framework for strengthening cooperation between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, including information sharing on Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Search and Rescue (SAR), and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
The two Defence Ministers held the Japan-India Defence Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, where they reviewed the expanding bilateral defence partnership under the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Recalling the Japan-India Joint Statement issued by the leaders of the two countries in July, the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen defence cooperation towards achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The two sides also stressed the importance of sharing assessments of the regional and international security environment amid heightened global tensions. They opposed unilateral actions that could impede freedom and safety of navigation and overflight, as well as attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion.
Focus on maritime security and shipbuilding
The Ministers 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.
They also agreed to explore opportunities for joint development in naval shipbuilding and design by combining Japan’s technological expertise with India’s production capabilities.
The two sides will also examine greater use of India’s shipbuilding and production capabilities under the Make in India framework.
India and Japan further agreed to advance reciprocal provision of ship repair facilities, including work towards concluding a ship repair arrangement in the near future.
The Ministers also discussed enhancing mine countermeasures capabilities and accelerating practical maritime security cooperation based on the strategic and operational requirements of both countries.
Boost to defence exercises
The two countries welcomed the continued expansion of bilateral military exercises, including the Japan-India Army exercise Dharma Guardian and the Japan-India Maritime Exercise JAIMEX.
They also welcomed preparations for the Japan-India Air Force exercise Veer Guardian 26, scheduled to be held this year. For the first time, fighter aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force will visit India to participate in the exercise.
The two sides agreed to further enhance the complexity and integration of bilateral exercises, including the use of unmanned systems and the possibility of conducting exercises at short notice.
They also agreed to promote exchanges between their respective Special Operations Forces and explore cooperation with India’s integrated theatre commands following their establishment.
Defence technology and equipment cooperation
Rajnath Singh welcomed Japan’s recent review of its framework for the transfer of defence equipment and technology and expressed expectations for further strengthening the bilateral defence and technology partnership.
The Ministers identified the shipborne UNICORN integrated communications antenna system as an important symbol of growing cooperation in defence equipment and technology transfer. It is the first defence equipment transfer project between the two countries.
Both sides affirmed their commitment to work towards the early realisation of the project and agreed to advance discussions on other defence equipment and technology projects based on the operational requirements of their respective armed forces.
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) will also deepen cooperation in advanced defence technologies.
The two countries further agreed to convene a Defence Industry Forum to promote greater cooperation in the defence industrial sector.
Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
India and Japan also agreed to deepen cooperation with third countries through high-level exchanges, military exercises and other initiatives aimed at contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The two Ministers welcomed the first trilateral naval PASSEX involving India, Japan and Indonesia, conducted in February this year.
They also agreed to further promote cooperation through the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN), which supports partner countries during natural disasters by facilitating the transportation of personnel and supplies.
The second tabletop exercise under the IPLN is scheduled to be held at Japan’s Ministry of Defense in September.
Working Group to coordinate defence cooperation
The two sides agreed to establish a Working Group headed at the Director-General/Joint Secretary level to advance cooperation across operational, intelligence, equipment, technology and industrial domains.
The Working Group will coordinate the areas of cooperation agreed upon by the two Defence Ministers, maximise synergies and accelerate their implementation while respecting the respective policies and sovereign choices of both countries.
India and Japan also agreed to accelerate discussions towards convening the Fourth Japan-India Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting (2+2) in Tokyo this year.
The two Ministers further agreed to hold consultations as necessary to contribute to the security of both countries and peace and stability in the region.
Before the bilateral meeting, Koizumi laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi to pay homage to India’s fallen heroes and received a ceremonial Tri-Service Guard of Honour.
The Japanese Defence Minister had earlier visited the Western Naval Command in Mumbai, where he also visited Indian Naval Ship Chennai.
