A fleet of Indian Navy's stealth warships securing the shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean region

India and Japan on Thursday signed a maritime security pact in New Delhi, signalling a significant deepening of their defence cooperation. The agreement was formalised during talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi at the Manekshaw Centre.

The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, stressing the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and overflight. They expressed strong opposition to unilateral actions that attempt to alter the status quo by force or coercion.

The remarks were widely interpreted as an implicit message to Beijing, given China’s growing military assertiveness in the South and East China Seas. Both India and Japan have consistently voiced concern over such developments.

The pact provides a framework for advancing maritime security cooperation between the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and the Indian Navy. It includes enhanced information sharing in maritime domain awareness, as well as cooperation in search and rescue operations.

Singh and Koizumi agreed to move swiftly towards concrete maritime cooperation. They emphasised maximising synergies to strengthen mine countermeasure capabilities and exploring joint development in naval shipbuilding and design. Japan’s technological expertise and India’s production capabilities were identified as complementary strengths.

The two sides also agreed to promote cooperation through the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network. This mechanism will support partner countries during natural disasters, enhancing regional resilience and humanitarian assistance.

The ministers concurred on deepening cooperation with third countries. They highlighted the importance of high-level exchanges, joint exercises, and other initiatives to contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

They also underlined the importance of sharing assessments of the regional and international security environment. This was deemed vital at a time of heightened global tensions.

The talks resulted in the establishment of a working group at the director-general and joint secretary level. This body will coordinate cooperation across operational, intelligence, equipment, technology, and industrial domains. It will ensure synergies are maximised and implementation accelerated.

Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination for the protection of sea lines of communication. This will involve mutual visits by naval ships and units, joint exercises, exchanges of personnel and subject matter experts, and logistical support including port usage, maintenance, and repair facilities.

Singh and Koizumi shared the view that defence shipbuilding should be a priority area. Japan’s use of India’s production capabilities under the Make in India initiative was discussed as a way to deepen collaboration.

The ministers also agreed to progress reciprocal provision of ship repair facilities. They noted that a formal ship repair arrangement would be concluded in the near future.

Singh welcomed Japan’s recent review of its framework for defence equipment and technology transfer. He expressed confidence that Japan would contribute further to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and globally.

The shipborne UNICORN integrated communications antenna system project was highlighted as a landmark initiative.

As the first defence equipment transfer project between India and Japan, it symbolises the growing partnership in defence technology. Both ministers affirmed their commitment to its early realisation.

The joint statement concluded by emphasising that such cooperation is vital not only for India and Japan but also for the wider region and international community.

PTI