TOKYO, JAPAN — July 13, 2026: India and Japan successfully conducted their 8th Defence Policy Dialogue today in Tokyo, strongly reiterating their shared commitment to fostering a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region rooted in international law. Co-chaired by Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Japanese Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs Kano Koji, the high-level talks reviewed the expansive progress made in bilateral defence cooperation and reaffirmed the strengthening of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The delegations engaged in comprehensive discussions regarding the prevailing global and regional security landscape, reviewing the full spectrum of military-to-military exchanges, joint headquarters cooperation, maritime engagements, capacity building, and defence equipment and technology collaboration.
Looking ahead, both nations welcomed the steady expansion of their defence ties, discussing key agendas and probable outcomes for upcoming high-level ministerial interactions, including the scheduled 2+2 Dialogue later this year. The talks also focused on deepening collaboration in critical emerging domains such as technological innovation, cyber security, space, and defence industrial partnerships.
Earlier in the day, Defence Secretary Singh commenced his visit by laying a wreath at the Self-Defense Forces Memorial Stone to honor fallen Japanese personnel, followed by a meeting with Japanese Minister of Defence Shinjiro Koizumi. Conveying greetings from Indian Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, the Defence Secretary extended an official invitation to Minister Koizumi to visit India, further underscoring the deepening mutual respect, strategic convergence, and shared vision for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.