The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, August 20, 2026; Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Thursday began the Delhi leg of his India visit with a ceremonial welcome at the Manekshaw Centre, where he inspected the Guard of Honour in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Koizumi also visited the National War Memorial and laid a wreath in remembrance of Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice.
The Japanese minister’s visit comes as India and Japan seek to expand cooperation in defence, maritime security and defence technology. His two-day programme began in Mumbai, where he visited the Western Naval Command and reviewed India’s naval capabilities.
During his Mumbai engagements, Koizumi visited the Indian Navy’s indigenous stealth destroyer INS Chennai and held discussions with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahajan Vatsayan.
The Japanese delegation was briefed on the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities, responsibilities and role in the wider regional security environment.
Koizumi is scheduled to meet Rajnath Singh for detailed bilateral discussions in New Delhi. The talks are expected to focus on strengthening defence cooperation, expanding maritime security coordination and exploring opportunities for collaboration in defence equipment and technology.
The discussions are also significant in the context of Japan’s revised policy governing the transfer of defence equipment and technology. India is looking to deepen cooperation with Japan under its Make-in-India initiative while advancing strategic coordination in the Indo-Pacific.
The two countries have increasingly aligned their efforts towards maintaining a free, open and stable Indo-Pacific, with defence and maritime cooperation emerging as important pillars of their strategic partnership.
Koizumi’s India visit follows Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to the country in July for the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit had placed greater emphasis on expanding cooperation in areas including artificial intelligence, defence, clean energy and Japanese investment in India.
The latest high-level defence engagement is expected to provide further momentum to India-Japan security ties and identify new avenues for long-term strategic cooperation.
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