India and Japan look to expand defence technology cooperation, Make in India partnerships and strategic coordination in the Indo-Pacific
New Delhi | August 21, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi, with the two sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening India-Japan defence and security cooperation and advancing their wider Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Koizumi, who is on an official visit to India, called on PM Modi on Thursday. During the meeting, Modi recalled his discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit held in July and noted the steady momentum in defence cooperation between the two countries.
Focus on defence and Indo-Pacific security
The meeting placed strong emphasis on the role of India-Japan defence and security cooperation in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
PM Modi highlighted the importance of the two countries’ Special Strategic and Global Partnership as an anchor for regional stability. The discussions come at a time when both New Delhi and Tokyo are seeking closer strategic coordination in the Indo-Pacific.
Japan invited to partner with Indian defence industry
A key focus of the meeting was expanding industrial and technological cooperation in the defence sector.
PM Modi highlighted opportunities for Japanese companies and Indian defence firms and startups to work together on co-development and co-production under the Make in India initiative. The move could create greater scope for technology collaboration, defence manufacturing and private-sector participation in the two countries’ growing security partnership.
Koizumi briefed PM Modi on progress in bilateral defence cooperation and reaffirmed Japan’s continued commitment to deepening defence ties with India.
Maritime security gains momentum
The PM’s meeting followed talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Koizumi in New Delhi on August 20, where India and Japan agreed to further strengthen maritime security cooperation.
The two countries signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation, aimed at enhancing cooperation between their defence establishments and naval forces. Their discussions also covered broader defence equipment and technology cooperation and closer coordination in the Indo-Pacific.
A wider strategic partnership
The latest engagements underline how India-Japan relations are increasingly extending beyond traditional diplomatic and economic cooperation to defence technology, maritime security and regional strategic coordination.
With both countries backing a free and open Indo-Pacific, the strengthening of defence ties is expected to remain an important pillar of the bilateral relationship.
Key takeaways:
- PM Modi and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi discussed deeper defence and security cooperation.
- India and Japan reaffirmed the importance of their strategic partnership for Indo-Pacific stability.
- Japan was encouraged to partner with Indian defence companies and startups.
- Co-development and co-production under Make in India emerged as a key area of opportunity.
- The meeting followed a new India-Japan maritime security cooperation arrangement signed by the two defence ministers.
- Both countries are seeking closer coordination on defence technology and regional security.
