Japanese Defence Minister could visit India next month: Report
Tokyo, July 16
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is planning to visit India in August to hold talks with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh. This will be Koizumi's first visit to India after assuming office in October last year, local media reported on Thursday.
The two ministers are expected to discuss cooperation about defence equipment, including the export of the Unicorn communication antenna system from Japan to India, Jiji Press reported citing information received from the officials of the Japanese Defence Ministry.
Koizumi and Singh will discuss expanding joint exercises between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Indian military. In addition, the two leaders are likely to discuss the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, including activities by China, the report detailed.
On July 13, India and Japan held the 8th Defence Policy Dialogue in Tokyo and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in emerging domains, including defence industrial collaboration, technological innovation, cyber security, space, and other areas of shared strategic interest.
The two sides also 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, the Ministry of Defence stated.
The two countries reiterated their commitment to promoting a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region founded on respect for international law. For the meeting, the Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the Japanese delegation was led by Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs Kano Koji. Both sides discussed the prevailing regional and global security environment and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
"The dialogue reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral defence engagements, including military-to-military exchanges, co-operation between joint headquarters, maritime cooperation, defence exercises, capacity building, defence equipment and technology cooperation including maritime technology, and enhanced institutional interactions," the Ministry of Defence stated.
The two nations welcomed the steady expansion of defence cooperation and stressed the importance of maintaining regular high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms. They discussed probable outcomes for the forthcoming Ministerial visits including 2+2, scheduled to be held later this year.
During his visit, Rajesh Kumar Singh met Japanese Minister of Defence Shinjiro Koizumi, and conveyed greetings of Defence Minister Singh. The two sides reaffirmed the growing momentum of India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. He also presented an invite from Defence Minister to Koizumi for his visit to India at an earliest opportunity.
"Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh met Japan's Minister of Defence Mr Shinjiro Koizumi in Tokyo on July 13, 2026, reaffirming the growing momentum of the India-Japan Special Strategic and; Global Partnership. Building on the outcomes of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent visit to India, both sides held wide-ranging and productive discussions on regional security, maritime cooperation, defence industrial collaboration and advancing a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific. The meeting underscored the shared commitment to further elevate India-Japan defence ties," the Ministry of Defence posted on X after the meeting.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see our defence ties strengthening, but I hope we're not just becoming a dumping ground for Japanese military hardware. We should focus on self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat. The Unicorn system sounds useful, but what about technology transfer? Make in India should be the priority, not just buying off the shelf. Still, better Japan than others in the region.
This is huge for maritime security! The Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force working together in the Indo-Pacific sends a clear message. Our Malabar exercises have been top-notch, and expanding joint drills will only help. China's aggressive moves in the region need a united front. Let's hope this visit results in concrete agreements, not just photo ops. 🚢⚓
I'm cautiously optimistic. Japan is a stable democracy and has advanced tech, but we should remember history—they've been reluctant to share core technologies. Let's see if this Unicorn antenna system comes with full tech transfer. Also, with the 2+2 ministerial meeting coming up, we need to ensure our interests are balanced. Cyber security and space cooperation sound promising though. 🤞
This is exactly what India needs right now—a solid partnership with a like-minded nation. The 'free and open Indo-Pacific' concept is our shared vision. I just wish the media would focus more on the substance, like the Defence Policy Dialogue outcomes, rather than just the visit logistics. Our defence secretary's meeting with Koizumi seems to have set a good tone. Let's hope the August talks deliver.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.