Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi received a warm welcome in New Delhi as he began talks with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday welcomed his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi to New Delhi for high-level talks aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between India and Japan.
“Konichiwa Koizumi San! Happy to welcome my Japanese counterpart on his maiden visit to India,” Singh posted on X.
Koizumi was received by Singh in the presence of senior officials and military leaders, including Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh.
The two defence ministers exchanged greetings before proceeding with their scheduled engagements. Koizumi also laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in the capital.
The visit comes as India and Japan seek to expand defence cooperation and contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the two sides are expected to discuss stronger maritime security cooperation and closer collaboration in defence equipment and technology under the ‘Make-in-India’ framework.
The discussions come after Japan revised its Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology, potentially creating greater scope for defence industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Koizumi arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday, beginning his maiden visit to India. On arrival, he inspected a Guard of Honour at the Western Naval Command.
During his Mumbai engagements, Koizumi laid a wreath at the Gaurav Stambh at the Naval Dockyard and visited the indigenous Indian Navy ship INS Chennai.
He also held discussions with Indian Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan.
The Japanese delegation was briefed on the Indian Navy’s roles and responsibilities as well as its operational capabilities, according to the Defence Ministry.
Japanese Ambassador to India Ono Keiichi highlighted the maritime focus of the visit in a post on X.
“Welcome to India, Minister Koizumi, Defence Minister of Japan! The 2-day program began yesterday with a visit to the Western Naval Command in Mumbai. Had fruitful discussions on advancing Japan-India maritime cooperation,” he said.
India and Japan share a common vision of a free, open, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific, according to the Defence Ministry.
The ministry said Koizumi’s two-day visit reflects the growing momentum in bilateral defence ties and the commitment of both countries to further expand their strategic partnership.
The talks in New Delhi are expected to build on the growing defence relationship between the two countries, with maritime security, defence technology and industrial cooperation emerging as key areas of engagement.
