NEW DELHI — In a major push to deepen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in the national capital on Thursday.
During the high-level talks, PM Modi urged Japanese defense firms and tech start-ups to partner with Indian enterprises for co-development and joint production of military hardware under the ‘Make in India’ program.
The meeting comes on the heels of the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit held in July 2026, where PM Modi hosted Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to expand strategic ties across critical infrastructure, defense, and technology sectors.
Key Takeaways From the High-Level Meeting
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‘Make in India’ Defence Co-Production: PM Modi invited Japanese defense industry players to collaborate directly with Indian start-ups and manufacturers, leveraging India’s manufacturing capabilities alongside Japanese technological expertise.
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Indo-Pacific Peace & Security: Both leaders reaffirmed that robust India-Japan defence and security cooperation serves as an indispensable pillar for ensuring a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific region.
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Progress in Bilateral Security Ties: Defence Minister Koizumi briefed PM Modi on the ongoing progress in joint military exercises, operational coordination, and technology transfers.
Strategic Context & Delegation Talks
Prior to calling on the Prime Minister, Minister Koizumi held extensive delegation-level talks with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The two defense chiefs signed a landmark Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation.
| Key Focus Area | Strategic Agreement / Objective |
| Maritime Security | Enhanced information sharing between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) in Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). |
| Naval Technology Transfer | Accelerated progress on the shipborne UNICORN integrated communications antenna system, marking the first defense equipment transfer project between both nations. |
| Shipbuilding & Logistics | Exploration of joint naval shipbuilding designs, expanded port calls, and mutual logistical support for Sea Lines of Communication. |
| Joint Exercises | Expansion of multi-domain operational drills including Dharma Guardian (Army), JIMEX (Navy), and Veer Guardian 26 (Air Force). |
| Defence Industry Forum | Decision to establish a dedicated forum to institutionalize business-to-business defense technology integration. |
“Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership is an important anchor for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”
— Prime Minister Narendra Modi
