PM Modi, Japan Defence Minister Discuss Stronger Strategic Partnership And Security Cooperation

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday, with the two leaders discussing ways to further strengthen defence and security cooperation between India and Japan. The meeting focused on the broader India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and the role of bilateral cooperation in promoting peace, stability and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Modi outlined his vision for taking the partnership between the two countries to a higher level. The prime minister highlighted the importance of closer India-Japan defence and security cooperation at a time when the Indo-Pacific region continues to face complex strategic and security challenges.

The meeting also covered the progress made in bilateral defence engagement. Modi recalled his detailed discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during her visit to India for the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit in July 2026. He appreciated the steady momentum in defence collaboration between the two countries and reiterated the importance of maintaining regular high-level contact.

The Prime Minister’s Office said India-Japan defence and security cooperation could contribute significantly to regional peace and stability. The two countries have been working to widen their engagement beyond traditional diplomatic and economic relations, with defence partnerships and strategic coordination becoming increasingly important components of their bilateral relationship.

Koizumi’s visit to India comes against the backdrop of growing attention on the security environment in the Indo-Pacific. India and Japan have consistently expressed support for a free, open and rules-based regional order. Their cooperation is also shaped by shared concerns over maritime security, the safety of sea lanes and the need to maintain stability in a region central to global trade and energy movement.

Defence ties between New Delhi and Tokyo have expanded through high-level exchanges, military interactions and discussions on greater interoperability. The two sides have also explored opportunities to improve cooperation in areas such as defence technology, equipment, maritime security and capacity building. The meeting between Modi and Koizumi provided an opportunity to review the direction of this engagement and consider ways to sustain its momentum.

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The Indian prime minister later posted on X that he was pleased to receive Japan’s defence minister. Although the government did not disclose detailed discussions or announce any new agreement, the meeting reinforced the political importance attached by both countries to their defence partnership. The Prime Minister’s Office described the India-Japan relationship as a Special Strategic and Global Partnership, reflecting its significance beyond bilateral issues.

Cooperation between the two countries includes trade, investment, infrastructure, digital technologies, clean energy, education and people-to-people ties. Defence and security cooperation has, however, become one of the key areas of focus in recent years. Modi’s reference to his talks with Takaichi during the July summit indicated continuity in the strategic dialogue between the two governments.

Regular summit-level engagement has provided a framework for both sides to coordinate their positions on regional and global issues, while ministerial-level meetings have helped translate broader political commitments into practical cooperation. The visit is expected to contribute to further discussions between India and Japan on strengthening their strategic partnership. While no specific outcomes were announced from the meeting, the emphasis on defence collaboration underlined the shared interest of New Delhi and Tokyo in closer coordination for regional peace, stability and prosperity.

The talks also highlighted the growing relevance of partnerships among like-minded countries in addressing Indo-Pacific challenges. For India and Japan, stronger defence relations are viewed as an important part of a wider effort to build trust, improve coordination and support a stable regional environment. The meeting between Modi and Koizumi therefore reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen their strategic engagement in the years ahead.

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