NEW DELHI, Aug 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and discussed measures to further strengthen defence and security ties between India and Japan, with a particular focus on joint development and production of defence equipment.
Koizumi is visiting India as New Delhi and Tokyo look to give fresh momentum to their Special Strategic and Global Partnership amid changing security dynamics across the Indo-Pacific.
According to a release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, 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 also welcomed the continued progress in bilateral defence engagement.
The Prime Minister stressed the need to deepen strategic and security cooperation, saying stronger ties between the two countries would contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Modi also pointed to opportunities for Japanese defence companies to work with Indian firms and start-ups. He highlighted the potential for collaboration in co-development and co-production of defence equipment in line with India’s Make in India initiative.
During the meeting, Koizumi briefed the Prime Minister on developments in bilateral defence cooperation and conveyed Tokyo’s commitment to further advancing strategic and security relations with New Delhi, the PMO said.
Defence manufacturing has increasingly become an important area of engagement between the two countries. Both sides are seeking to expand industrial partnerships, promote technological cooperation and create greater opportunities for their defence industries to work together.
The emphasis on joint production could also open new avenues for Japanese companies and Indian enterprises to participate in defence innovation and manufacturing. Greater industry to industry engagement is expected to support technology development while strengthening supply chain resilience.
India and Japan have also expanded their engagement in areas such as maritime security and defence technology. Their growing strategic coordination reflects common interests in maintaining a free, open and rules based Indo-Pacific.
The latest discussions between Modi and Koizumi are likely to reinforce these efforts and encourage closer cooperation between the two countries’ defence establishments and industries.