New Delhi [India], August 20 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi on Thursday affirmed their dedication to strengthening Maritime Security Cooperation and signed the Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of Japan and the Ministry of Defence of India.
The Memorandum gives a framework for additional advancing cooperation between the 2 international locations within the subject of maritime safety. Specifically, it consists of the strengthening of cooperation between the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and the Indian Navy, together with info sharing within the subject of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), in addition to enhanced cooperation in areas corresponding to Search and Rescue (SAR) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).The two ministers welcomed the regular strengthening of defence cooperation, together with cooperation among the many respective ministries and the Services of the 2 international locations that share strategic views, underneath the ‘Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership’, which constitutes one of many pillars for peace, stability and prosperity within the Indo-Pacific.The two ministers affirmed that they’d strengthen coordination between either side for the safety of sea strains of communication by way of mutual visits by naval ships and models, joint workouts, personnel and material knowledgeable (SME) exchanges and logistical help together with use of ports, upkeep and restore amenities.The two defence ministers additionally exchanged presents following the bilateral assembly.
During the talks, Koizumi recalled his go to to India in 2018 and stated he had developed deep respect for India’s custom of holding a memorial ceremony for the victims of the atomic bombing.
He stated, ‘India holds a particular place in my coronary heart. On August 6, 2018, I visited India … and attended a memorial ceremony for the victims of the atomic bombing on the Lok Sabha.’
The Lok Sabha routinely acknowledges August 6 as Hiroshima Day to honour the victims of the 1945 atomic bombings and specific a shared dedication to world peace
‘India might be the one parliament exterior Japan that holds such a ceremony yearly. I’ve continued to really feel deep respect and gratitude for this custom. As a Minister of Defence myself, I’m proud and happy to have the ability to contribute along with India to peace within the area and the world,’ he stated.
Referring to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s current go to to India, Koizumi stated the 2 international locations had agreed to strengthen their relations as trusted companions sharing a strategic route.
‘Last month, Prime Minister Takaichi visited India and agreed with Prime Minister Modi to strengthen Japan-India relations as trusted companions that share a strategic route. Defence cooperation performs an indispensable half on this partnership. However, to be frank, Japan-India defence relations haven’t but reached the extent they need to,’ he stated.
Koizumi additionally highlighted the altering safety surroundings within the Indo-Pacific and referred to as for a fast elevation of defence ties between the 2 international locations.
‘The safety surroundings within the Indo-Pacific is quickly changing into extra advanced and unsure. Under the management of our two leaders, I want to work with you, Minister Singh, to shortly elevate Japan-India defence relations to the extent they need to attain,’ he stated.
‘Today, I stay up for having a concrete dialogue on what’s required to attain this goal and how much steps we must always take collectively. Thank you very a lot,’ he added.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi undertook a three-day official go to to New Delhi from July 1 to July 3, 2026, marking her first bilateral journey to India since taking workplace.
This high-level bilateral assembly comes weeks after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited India for the sixteenth Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During that summit, either side agreed to deepen defence and safety cooperation, signing over USD 10 billion in agreements aimed toward boosting investments in AI, defence and clear power, alongside focusing on 10 trillion yen in Japanese investments over the following decade. (ANI)