The agreement covers Maritime Domain Awareness, search and rescue, disaster relief, naval ship visits, logistics and ship repair. India-Japan on Thursday signed a new Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation as New Delhi and Tokyo moved to deepen operational coordination between their armed forces amid heightened security concerns in the Indo-Pacific. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi signed the agreement during their bilateral meeting in New Delhi. The pact provides a framework for expanding cooperation between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, with a particular focus on Maritime Domain Awareness, information sharing, search and rescue and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. The two sides also agreed to strengthen coordination for the protection of Sea Lines of Communications through naval visits, joint exercises, personnel exchanges and logistical support. The agreement comes as both countries seek to advance their defence partnership under the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership. In their joint statement, the ministers stressed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific and opposed unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion. The two ministers agreed to move quickly towards practical maritime cooperation, including greater access to ports as well as maintenance and repair facilities. They also agreed to work towards reciprocal provision of ship repair facilities, with a dedicated arrangement expected to be concluded in the near future. Another significant area is naval technology and shipbuilding. India and Japan agreed to explore possible joint development in naval shipbuilding and design by combining Japan’s technological expertise with India’s production capabilities under the Make in India framework. The ministers also discussed mine countermeasures and broader defence-industrial cooperation. They welcomed progress on the shipborne UNICORN integrated communications antenna system, described as the first defence equipment transfer project between the two countries, and committed to working towards its early implementation. The two countries also agreed to expand military-to-military engagement beyond conventional naval cooperation. Singh and Koizumi concurred on promoting exchanges between their respective Special Operations Forces and pursuing cooperation with India’s integrated theatre commands after their establishment. The Indian Army and Japan Ground Self Defence Force in dynamic collaboration at MFFR Rajasthan. Bilateral exercises are also set for further expansion. The two sides welcomed progress on Dharma Guardian and JAIMEX, while Veer Guardian 26 is scheduled to see Japanese Air Self-Defence Force fighter aircraft visit India for the first time to participate in the exercise. The ministers further agreed to increase exercise complexity, integrate unmanned systems and pursue short-notice joint exercises when opportunities arise. They also welcomed the first trilateral naval PASSEX involving India, Japan and Indonesia, conducted in February, and agreed to deepen cooperation with third countries across the Indo-Pacific. A new Working Group headed at the Director-General/Joint Secretary level will coordinate cooperation across operational, intelligence, equipment, technology and industrial domains. The ministers also agreed to accelerate discussions on the fourth Japan-India 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo later this year. Yuvraj Tyagi is a Senior Copy Editor, specializing in security, national, international and defense affairs. With extensive experience covering the Ka... View More