India and Japan on Thursday agreed to deepen maritime security cooperation, strengthen naval coordination and explore the possibility of joint development in naval shipbuilding and design as the two countries sought to further advance their defence partnership in the Indo-Pacific.
The agreement was reached at a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi. The two ministers also signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation to provide a framework for closer collaboration between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The two sides said the pact would strengthen cooperation in Maritime Domain Awareness, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
They also agreed to enhance coordination for the protection of sea lines of communication through reciprocal naval visits, joint exercises, personnel and subject matter expert exchanges, and logistical support, including access to ports and maintenance and repair facilities.
The joint statement said both sides would move swiftly to develop maritime security cooperation based on their strategic and operational requirements.
India and Japan also agreed to "maximize synergies to enhance mine countermeasures capabilities" and explore the possibility of joint development in naval shipbuilding and design by combining Japan's technological expertise with India's production capabilities.
The two ministers further agreed to leverage each other's strengths in defence shipbuilding and related areas, including deeper discussions on Japan's use of India's production capabilities under the "Make in India" framework.
They also concurred on moving towards reciprocal access to ship repair facilities, including through the conclusion of a ship repair arrangement in the near future.
Japan’s fighter jets to join India exercise
The two sides welcomed the continued expansion of bilateral military exercises, including the Japan-India Army exercise Dharma Guardian and the maritime exercise JAIMEX.
They particularly welcomed preparations for the Japan-India Air Force exercise Veer Guardian 26, scheduled for later this year. For the first time, Japanese Air Self-Defence Force fighter aircraft will travel to India to participate in the exercise.
India and Japan also agreed to make their bilateral exercises more complex, integrate unmanned systems and pursue short-notice joint exercises when opportunities arise.
The ministers agreed to promote exchanges between their Special Operations Forces and pursue cooperation with India's integrated theatre commands after their establishment.
Focus on defence technology
Singh welcomed Japan's recent review of its framework governing the transfer of defence equipment and technology and expressed expectations for deeper defence and technology cooperation.
The two ministers identified the shipborne UNICORN integrated communications antenna system as a symbol of the growing partnership. The project is the first defence equipment transfer project between India and Japan, and both sides committed to working towards its early implementation.
They also agreed to advance discussions between the respective services on operational requirements for other defence equipment and technology projects.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence research and development cooperation between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) in advanced defence technologies.
They also agreed to convene a Defence Industry Forum.
India, Japan to deepen wider Indo-Pacific cooperation
The two ministers welcomed the first trilateral naval PASSEX involving India, Japan and Indonesia, held in February, and agreed to expand cooperation with third countries through high-level exchanges, exercises and other initiatives.
They also agreed to further promote cooperation through the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN), which is designed to support partner countries during natural disasters by facilitating the transport of personnel and supplies. The second IPLN tabletop exercise is scheduled to be held at Japan's Ministry of Defense in September.
The ministers also agreed to accelerate discussions on convening the fourth Japan-India Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting, or "2+2", in Tokyo later this year.
They reiterated their opposition to unilateral actions that impede freedom and safety of navigation and overflight, as well as attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.
The two sides also agreed to establish a Working Group headed at the Director-General/Joint Secretary level to coordinate defence cooperation across operational, intelligence, equipment, technology and industrial domains.
The group will oversee implementation of areas agreed upon by the two ministers, maximise synergies across different areas of cooperation and accelerate their execution.
Koizumi, who is on a visit to India, paid homage to India's fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi before receiving a ceremonial Tri-Service Guard of Honour. He also visited the Western Naval Command in Mumbai and INS Chennai.
