India and Japan are set to explore joint development in naval shipbuilding and design, strengthen naval cooperation and expand the use of each other’s ship repair facilities as the two countries seek to deepen defence ties in the Indo-Pacific.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi signed a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) on maritime security cooperation at the India-Japan Defence Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on Thursday (August 20).
The agreement aims to provide a framework for partnership between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force , including information sharing for maritime domain awareness, search and rescue and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The two sides will also work on protecting Sea Lines of Communications (SLOC) through naval ship visits, join exercises, personnel exchange and logistical support, including access to ports and maintenance and repair facilities.
Commenting on the defence partnership, Singh welcomed Japan’s recent review of its framework for the transfer of defence equipment and technology and called for deeper cooperation in defence technology.
India and Japan also agreed to maximise synergies in mine countermeasures and explore joint development in naval shipbuilding and design by combining Japan’s technological expertise with India’s production capabilities.
The two countries will also discuss Japan’s use of Indian production capabilities under the Make in India framework and work towards reciprocal provision of ship repair facilities.
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Fighter jets to join India exercise
Japan and India are also expanding their military exercises. The countries said preparations were progressing for Veer Guardian 26, the bilateral air force exercise scheduled for this year, in which Japanese Air Self-Defence Force fighter aircraft will visit India for the first time to participate.
The two sides agreed to increase the complexity of bilateral exercises, integrate unmanned systems and pursue exercises at short notice.
Speaking on defence equipment cooperation, the ministers identified the shipborne UNICORN integrated communications antenna system as the first defence equipment transfer project between India and Japan. They said they would work towards its early implementation.
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) will also deepen cooperation on defence research and development in advanced technologies. The two countries plan to convene a Defence Industry Forum.
The ministers also agreed to establish a working group headed at the Director-General/Joint Secretary level to coordinate cooperation across operational, intelligence, equipment, technology and industrial areas.
The two sides further agreed to accelerate discussions on convening the fourth Japan-India Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting, or 2+2, in Tokyo this year.
