New Delhi Strengthens Ties with Japan Ahead of BRICS Summit
August 21, 2026 – As the BRICS Summit nears in India, New Delhi and Tokyo are focusing on enhancing their strategic and security ties, particularly in maritime security. This comes in response to heightened regional tensions, including China’s recent discontent over Japan’s military advancements after World War II.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi met on Thursday to discuss key security arrangements between their nations. Although they did not mention China explicitly in their joint press release, it underscored a strong commitment to bolstering defense and maritime collaboration.
During their meeting, both ministers expressed their firm stance against any actions that could threaten freedom of navigation and flights over regional waters, as well as any efforts to alter existing status quos through force.
Koizumi highlighted the importance of their partnership, mentioning a recent visit by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to India, where both leaders agreed on the necessity to advance Japan-India relations. He noted that the current security situation in the Indo-Pacific is increasingly complicated and that defense cooperation is crucial for strengthening their relationship.
In a significant step, the two countries signed a ‘Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation’. This agreement aims to enhance collaboration in maritime security, focusing on areas like information sharing and joint operations involving the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Indian Navy. It also covers areas such as Search and Rescue missions and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief efforts.
Another notable outcome from the discussions was India’s agreement to receive the UNICORN integrated communications antenna system, marking the first transfer of defense equipment between Japan and India.
Both ministers emphasized their dedication to the “Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership,” recognizing the steady development of defense cooperation and the exchange of security assessments. They underscored the importance of safeguarding Sea Lines of Communication, which are essential not just for Japan and India but for the entire region.
Moreover, they agreed on the importance of joint naval exercises, personnel exchanges, and logistical collaboration, including the sharing of port facilities. The two nations are also planning to enhance exchanges between their Special Operations Forces and cooperate with India’s integrated theater commands.
Minister Singh also discussed Japan’s revised policies for transferring defense equipment and technology, expressing hope that Japan would play a larger role in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing research and development in defense technology between India’s DRDO and Japan’s ATLA, and they plan to hold a Defense Industry Forum for further collaboration.
Lastly, they celebrated the success of a trilateral naval exercise held in February this year, which involved Japan, India, and Indonesia, highlighting the growing cooperation among these nations in the defense sector.
