India and Japan Sign Memorandum to Deepen Maritime Security Cooperation

India and Japan signed a memorandum of arrangement on Thursday to deepen maritime security cooperation during talks in Delhi between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. The agreement establishes a framework for information sharing regarding maritime domain awareness and enhances cooperation in search and rescue operations as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The two nations also agreed to advance reciprocal access to ship repair facilities and will establish a working group to boost cooperation in intelligence, equipment, technology, and industrial operations.

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. They expressed opposition to unilateral actions that impede the safety of navigation and overflight, as well as attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. The agreement includes plans for mutual visits by warships, joint exercises, and personnel exchanges. Additionally, the two leaders discussed promoting defence technology cooperation under the Make in India initiative and exploring joint development in naval shipbuilding and design.

In a notable addition to the joint statement, the two ministers agreed to promote exchanges between special operations forces and pursue cooperation with India's integrated theatre commands once they are established. This meeting follows the 16th India Japan Summit, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi finalized a joint roadmap on economic security and expanded cooperation in AI, energy security, and rare earths.