India and Japan held their 8th Defence Policy Dialogue in Tokyo on 13 July 2026. Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh led the Indian delegation, while Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs Mr. Kano Koji led the Japanese side. Both sides took stock of the progress made in bilateral cooperation since the last dialogue and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Reviewing the Full Spectrum of Defence Ties
The talks covered the current regional and global security environment, with both sides exchanging views on issues of shared interest. They went through the entire range of bilateral engagements: military-to-military exchanges, cooperation between joint headquarters, maritime cooperation, defence exercises, capacity building, equipment and technology cooperation (including maritime technology), and stronger institutional interactions.
Both delegations welcomed how steadily this cooperation has grown and agreed on the value of keeping up regular high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms. They also discussed what might come out of the Ministerial visits planned for later this year, including the 2+2 dialogue.
Looking Ahead to New Areas of Cooperation
The two sides talked through ways to deepen cooperation in newer domains too, including industrial collaboration, technological innovation, cyber security, space, and other areas where their strategic interests overlap. Both expressed satisfaction with how much India and Japan’s positions on regional and global security have converged, and agreed to keep working closely together in the Indo-Pacific. They reiterated their commitment to a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region, grounded in respect for international law.
Defence Secretary Singh praised Japan’s continued engagement with India on defence and stressed the importance of building out practical cooperation under the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Mr. Kano Koji, in turn, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to expanding defence ties with India across priority areas.
Meeting with Japan’s Defence Minister
Earlier the same day, the Defence Secretary called on Japanese Minister Mr. Shinjiro Koizumi and conveyed greetings from Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. Both sides reaffirmed the growing momentum behind the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The Secretary also passed along an invitation from Raksha Mantri Singh for the Japanese Defence Minister to visit India at the earliest opportunity.
Paying Tribute Before the Talks Began
The Secretary opened his visit by laying a wreath at the Self-Defense Forces Memorial Stone in Tokyo, honoring members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who gave their lives in service to their country. The visit, taken together, pointed to ties between the two countries that keep growing deeper, built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Key Takeaway: The 8th India–Japan Defence Policy Dialogue reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to further strengthen their Special Strategic and Global Partnership through expanded cooperation across fields and emerging technologies.
The dialogue reviewed progress in military exchanges, maritime cooperation, joint exercises, equipment and technology collaboration, capacity building and institutional engagements, while identifying new areas of cooperation such as industrial collaboration, cybersecurity and space.
Both sides reiterated their shared vision of a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific founded on respect for international law, agreed to maintain regular high-level defence dialogues, including the upcoming 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, and underscored the growing strategic convergence between India and Japan in promoting regional peace, security and stability.
M.C.Q.
Question 1: The 8th India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue (2026) was held in:
- A. New Delhi
- B. Kyoto
- C. Tokyo
- D. Hiroshima
Question 2: The India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue is conducted under the framework of which bilateral partnership?
- A. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
- B. Act East Partnership
- C. India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership
- D. Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
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