By Amrashree Mishra
New Delhi [India], November 3 (ANI): With China urgent from the north, supplying weapons to Pakistan and increasing its footprint within the Indian Ocean, India is ‘surrounded by China in some ways’, noticed Hideshi Tokuchi, Japan’s former Vice-Minister of Defence for International Affairs, calling for New Delhi and Tokyo to ‘do much more’ collectively to strengthen their defence partnership.
The former Japanese Vice-Minister made the remarks in an unique interview with ANI on the sidelines of the three-day Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2026, which commenced within the nationwide capital on Tuesday.
Highlighting the evolving safety challenges confronting India, Tokuchi mentioned, ‘India is surrounded by China in some ways, by the Chinese floor pressure within the north and by the Chinese weapons by Pakistan and likewise China’s maritime growth within the Indian Ocean.’
On avenues for deepening bilateral defence cooperation, he recalled Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s go to to India in August and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concluded between the 2 international locations on defence cooperation.
The MoU signed in August geared toward strengthening maritime safety cooperation, together with info sharing, maritime area consciousness and coordination between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
He added, ‘Technology, tools cooperation and likewise ship repair- these points are very a lot vital as a result of India and Japan each are maritime international locations and we share main maritime transit. So it is rather vital to additional cooperate, notably on maritime safety.’
Tokuchi underlined the rising strategic competitors amongst main powers, notably the United States and China, as one other issue making maritime cooperation more and more vital within the Indo-Pacific.
He mentioned, ‘The intensifying rivalry of main powers, notably the United States and China, notably on this area, maritime area.’
Observing that Japan, too, faces mounting strain from China, Tokuchi pointed to the increasing presence of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and the Chinese Coast Guard.
He mentioned, ‘Japan can also be below this huge naval and likewise maritime legislation enforcement strain from China. The growth of the Chinese PLA Navy and likewise China’s coast guard. We have the identical frequent risk perceptions. So we are able to do much more with a purpose to guarantee maritime safety.’
His remarks come as New Delhi hosts the 2026 version of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue below the theme ‘Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation within the Indo-Pacific’. The three-day dialogue seeks to convey collectively numerous views on strengthening the foundations of maritime safety within the area. (ANI)