The Ministry of Defence announced on 28 October 2026 that Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Japan's Minister of Defense Mr Shinjiro Koizumi met in Cebu, Philippines. The leaders discussed enhancing maritime security, including mine countermeasure capabilities and joint naval shipbuilding, and reviewed cooperation between their air services. They also agreed to speed up plans for the 4th Japan-India Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting (2+2) and a Defence Ministers' Meeting in Tokyo later this year. The release does not say when these future meetings will take place.
Key points
- Focus on joint naval shipbuilding and design using Japan's tech and India's production
- Review of air service cooperation following 'Veer Guardian 26' exercise
- India-Japan Defence Industry Forum held in Tokyo with about 40 companies
- Agreement to accelerate the 4th Japan-India Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting (2+2)
When it applies
- Meeting between Raksha Mantri and Japanese Minister of Defense
Who it affects
- Government of India and Government of Japan