India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) on Maritime Security Cooperation on Thursday, August 20, 2026, during bilateral talks between Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi. They also agreed to expand operational cooperation, including information sharing, naval exercises, ship repair, and logistics support.
The Defense Ministry claims that during their discussions in New Delhi, the two ministers reiterated their resolve to strengthen defense cooperation under the “Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership” and work toward an open and free Indo-Pacific in the face of increased international tensions.
Both sides voiced strong resistance to attempts to alter the status quo through coercion or force, as well as to unilateral steps that restrict freedom and safety of navigation and overflight.
The recently inked maritime security agreement offers a framework for enhanced collaboration between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in areas such as search and rescue, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). Additionally, the Ministers decided to improve cooperation for the defense of Sea Lines of Communications through collaborative exercises, personnel and subject matter expert exchanges, reciprocal naval visits, and logistical support, such as port access and maintenance and repair facilities. By utilizing Japan’s technological know-how and India’s production capacities, India and Japan will also investigate the possibilities of cooperative development in naval shipbuilding and design and move toward deeper cooperation in mine countermeasures.
Under the “Make in India” framework, the two parties will also talk about making better use of India’s shipbuilding skills and strive toward mutually providing ship repair facilities. The Ministers applauded the planned Veer Guardian 26 air exercise as well as the expansion of bilateral military drills like Dharma Guardian and JAIMEX. For the first time, Japanese fighter planes will take part in the drill in India. Additionally, the parties decided to investigate short-notice joint exercises, use unmanned technologies, and increase the complexity of bilateral drills. Following their foundation, the two nations would seek collaboration with India’s integrated theater commands and encourage interactions between their Special Operations Forces.
In an effort to strengthen defense and technology cooperation, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh applauded Japan’s recent assessment of its defense equipment and technology transfer policy. The two parties committed to the early implementation of the shipborne UNICORN integrated communications antenna system, viewing it as a symbol of their expanding defense equipment relationship.
A Defense Industry Forum will be held, and India’s DRDO and Japan’s ATLA will expand their collaboration in cutting-edge defense technologies.
The Ministers also decided to create a Working Group to manage cooperation in the operational, intelligence, equipment, technological, and industrial areas. This group would be led by a Director-General or Joint Secretary.
Additionally, they decided to expedite talks for this year’s fourth “2+2” Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialog between Japan and India, which will take place in Tokyo.
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