India-Japan Defence Ministers Meet in New Delhi, Sign Maritime Security Pact

The two Ministers signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation as India and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence ties and working towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.

In his opening remarks, Rajnath Singh welcomed Shinjiro Koizumi and the Japanese delegation to India. He expressed sympathy and solidarity on behalf of the Government and people of India following the devastating earthquake in the Kumamoto region of Japan.

Singh said India was saddened by the loss of life and hardships faced by the affected people and reassured and reaffirmed India’s commitment to providing any assistance, relief or support required during the difficult time.

The Defence Minister said the India-Japan relationship is rooted in shared democratic values, mutual respect and a long-standing civilisational connect. He noted that both nations will celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations next year.

Singh said the friendship between India and Japan has grown over the years into a cornerstone of stability, resilience and a rules-based order, not only for the two countries but also for the wider Indo-Pacific region. As two leading democracies in Asia, he said, India and Japan share a profound responsibility to ensure peace, stability and prosperity.

Highlighting growing vulnerabilities facing maritime lifelines, Singh said efforts to ensure freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce are not merely an economic necessity but a strategic imperative. He said the security of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean is deeply interlinked.

The Minister said close alignment between India’s MAHASAGAR vision and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Initiative is more important now than ever before.

Shinjiro Koizumi expressed appreciation for India’s condolences to those affected by the earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture. He also appreciated the support provided by the Indian Navy during the medical emergency that occurred on a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel.

Koizumi said the assistance symbolised a cooperative relationship in which both nations can help each other when in trouble. He said he has a special place for India in his heart.

The Japanese Defence Minister recalled that on 6th August 2018, he visited India with fellow members of Parliament and participated in a memorial ceremony for the victims of the atomic bomb. He said India is probably the only Parliament outside Japan that holds such a ceremony every year and expressed respect and gratitude for the tradition.

Koizumi also said that yesterday he visited the Western Naval Command and INS Chennai in Mumbai, where he was able to see first-hand the high capabilities and strong morale of the Indian Armed Forces.

Recalling the Japan-India Joint Statement issued by the leaders of the two countries in July this year, the two Ministers affirmed their commitment, under their leadership, to further deepen defence cooperation to realise a free and open Indo-Pacific.

They also affirmed that both sides would strengthen coordination for the protection of Sea Lines of Communications through mutual visits by naval ships and units, joint exercises, personnel and Subject Matter Expert exchanges, and logistical support, including the use of ports, maintenance and repair facilities.

The two Ministers welcomed the steady expansion and deepening of bilateral exercises conducted by Japan and India, including the Japan-India Army exercise Dharma Guardian and the Japan-India Maritime Exercise JAIMEX. They also welcomed the steady progress in coordination for the Japan-India Air Force exercise Veer Guardian 26, scheduled to be held this year.

Earlier on Thursday morning, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi laid a wreath at the National War Memorial. He later received a ceremonial guard of honour at Manekshaw Centre in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The signing of the maritime security cooperation arrangement and the renewed focus on naval coordination, joint exercises, exchanges and logistical support mark a further strengthening of India-Japan defence cooperation as both countries work towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.