Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday during his official visit to India. The meeting focused on strengthening defence and security cooperation between India and Japan. Both sides also discussed ways to deepen their Special Strategic and Global Partnership and expand cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi highlighted the need to further strengthen India-Japan defence and security ties. He said closer cooperation between the two countries would support peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

"Japan's Minister of Defence Shinjiro Koizumi, who is on an official visit to India, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today," the PMO said.

During the meeting, Modi recalled his discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during her visit to India for the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit in July 2026. He also welcomed the steady progress in defence cooperation between New Delhi and Tokyo.

The Prime Minister stressed that defence and security cooperation remains an important part of the India-Japan partnership. He also outlined opportunities for Japanese companies and start-ups to work with Indian firms in the defence sector. The cooperation could focus on co-development and co-production under the 'Make in India' initiative.

Koizumi briefed Modi on the progress made in bilateral defence cooperation. He also reaffirmed the Japanese government's continued commitment to strengthening defence and security ties with India.

Modi later shared details of the meeting in a post on X. “Had an excellent conversation on deepening defence and security ties between India and Japan. Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership is an important anchor for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” PM Modi said.

The meeting came on the same day as a major development in India-Japan maritime security cooperation. India and Japan signed a memorandum of arrangement to strengthen cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi held delegation-level talks in Delhi before signing the agreement.

The new arrangement will provide a framework for sharing information related to maritime domain awareness (MDA). It will also support closer cooperation in search and rescue (SAR) operations. Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) will also form part of the expanded cooperation.

The agreement marks another step in the growing military partnership between India and Japan. Both countries have been working to expand coordination in the maritime domain. The latest arrangement is expected to improve information exchange and cooperation between their naval forces.

The two defence ministers also agreed to move ahead with reciprocal access to ship-repair facilities. The two sides are expected to conclude a formal arrangement for this cooperation soon. The move could provide greater opportunities for Indian and Japanese naval vessels to use each other's repair facilities.

The talks also resulted in an agreement to establish a new working group for wider defence cooperation. The group will focus on several areas, including operations, intelligence, equipment, technology and industrial cooperation.

“The working group will maximise synergies among the various areas of cooperation, and accelerate their implementation,” the joint statement said.

The new working group will aim to bring different areas of bilateral defence cooperation closer together. It will also help both countries speed up the implementation of agreed initiatives.

India and Japan have steadily expanded their strategic and defence relationship in recent years. Their cooperation covers maritime security, defence technology, industrial partnerships and military coordination. The latest agreements add further momentum to those efforts.

The discussions between Modi and Koizumi and talks between Singh and Koizumi underline the growing importance both countries attach to their defence partnership. India and Japan have also placed greater focus on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, where both sides see closer strategic coordination as important for regional peace and stability.

The latest developments also open more space for Japanese participation in India's defence manufacturing sector. The focus on co-development and co-production under 'Make in India' could strengthen industrial cooperation and create opportunities for Indian companies and start-ups.

The maritime security arrangement, proposed ship-repair cooperation and the new working group together mark a broader expansion of India-Japan defence ties. Both countries are now looking to improve practical cooperation while strengthening their broader strategic partnership.