India-Japan Defence Cooperation On Agenda As Koizumi Meets Rajnath On August 20

Last Updated:August 16, 2026, 9:07 PM IST

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will meet Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on August 20 as India and Japan look to deepen defence.

Left: Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi; Right: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

India and Japan are set to review their growing defence partnership next week, with Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi scheduled to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on August 20.

Koizumi will arrive in Mumbai on August 19 and is expected to visit a naval base there before travelling to the national capital. His visit comes soon after India and Japan signed their first co-development agreement for the UNICORN naval radio antenna system, marking another step in their defence technology partnership.

According to defence sources, the talks between Koizumi and Singh are likely to focus on expanding defence industry cooperation and assessing joint operational readiness. Military engagement between the two countries has increased in recent years, with both sides working across several areas.

The partnership is also set to get an air-power boost in September, when fighter aircraft from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force are expected to travel to India for an air exercise. Japanese Air Chief General Takehiro Morita is also likely to visit India during the drills, where he is expected to observe the exercise and meet senior Indian military officials.

Koizumi’s upcoming India visit follows discussions held in Tokyo last month. On July 13, Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Japan’s Vice Minister of Defence Kano Koji co-chaired the eighth India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue. The meeting covered cooperation in areas such as cyber security, space and advanced military technologies.

New Delhi and Tokyo have also continued to stress the importance of maintaining a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific. Their expanding defence cooperation is aimed at strengthening maritime security, protecting key sea routes and addressing strategic challenges in the region.

The two countries will also work together through multilateral maritime exercises. Later this year, the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force are scheduled to participate in the annual Malabar exercise with the United States and Australia, the other Quad members.

Key Questions Answered

Powered by

Ask News18

What new defence technologies will India and Japan co-develop?

India and Japan will co-develop the Naval Radio Antenna ‘UNICORN’. This antenna is a mast with integrated communication systems designed to improve the stealth characteristics of naval platforms.

How will this cooperation impact Indo-Pacific maritime security?

The cooperation between India and Japan is expected to strengthen maritime security, protect key sea routes, and address strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. This will involve expanding defence industry cooperation, assessing joint operational readiness, and working together through multilateral maritime exercises.

Will more countries join the Malabar exercise in the future?

The Ministry of External Affairs stated in May 2026 that the Quad, which includes the countries participating in the Malabar exercise, remains a grouping of four members. While the Quad is not currently expanding its membership, it is open to collaborating with other partners in specific areas.

Powered by

Ask News18

About the Author

Akash Sharma

Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experien…Read More

Read More