Tokyo, July 13 (ANI): India and Japan on Monday held their 8th Defence Policy Dialogue, during which both sides reviewed progress in bilateral defense cooperation and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in emerging areas such as defense industrial collaboration and technology innovation. They also took stock of the prevailing regional and global security situation. Defense Secretary Rajesh Singh also extended an invitation on behalf of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi to visit India at the earliest opportunity.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the two sides held comprehensive discussions on the prevailing regional and global security environment and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
The dialogue reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral defense engagement, including military-to-military exchanges, cooperation between joint headquarters, maritime cooperation, defense exercises, capacity building, defense equipment and technology cooperation, including maritime technology, and enhanced institutional interactions.
India and Japan welcomed the steady expansion of defense cooperation and underscored the importance of maintaining regular high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms. They also discussed possible outcomes for forthcoming ministerial visits, including the 2+2 dialogue later this year.
The Indian delegation was led by Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, while the Japanese delegation was led by Vice Minister of Defense for International Affairs Kano Koji. Both sides reviewed the significant progress made in bilateral defense cooperation since the previous Defense Policy Dialogue and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, the statement said.
The two delegations also discussed ways to deepen cooperation in emerging areas, including defense industrial collaboration, technological innovation, cybersecurity, space, and other areas of shared strategic interest. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the growing convergence between India and Japan on regional and global security issues and agreed to continue working closely in the Indo-Pacific. They reiterated their commitment to promoting a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region founded on respect for international law.
The statement said the Defense Secretary appreciated Japan’s continued engagement with India in the defense sector and highlighted the importance of strengthening practical cooperation under the framework of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Kano Koji reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to further expanding defense ties with India across priority areas.
Earlier in the day, the Defense Secretary called on Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and conveyed greetings from Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Both sides reaffirmed the growing momentum of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. He also delivered the invitation from Rajnath Singh to the Japanese defense minister to visit India at the earliest opportunity.
The Defense Secretary began his visit by laying a wreath at the Self-Defense Forces Memorial Stone in Tokyo, paying tribute to members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who made the supreme sacrifice in service to their nation, the statement said.
The visit underscored the growing and deepening defense ties, mutual respect, and shared commitment of India and Japan toward peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (ANI)
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