By: Amb Gurjit Singh
On May 5, 2025, Indian Raksha Mantri (Defense Minister) Rajnath Singh met Japan’s Minister of Defense, Mr. Gen Nakatani, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and called for enhanced global cooperation to counter the threat.
Rajnath Singh specifically denounced Pakistan’s policy of cross-border terrorism, warning that such state-sponsored actions undermine regional peace and security. He called for a unified international stance against terrorism and those who support or harbour it.
Minister Nakatani expressed his condolences for the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, and offered Japan’s full support to India in its fight against terrorism.
Both sides condemned terrorism in all forms and emphasised the need for enhanced collaboration and joint efforts to counter cross-border threats,” Singh said after the meeting, calling for a unified stand against terrorism and the state-sponsored actions that perpetuate it.
The ministers reviewed ongoing defence and security cooperation under the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace and stability. They welcomed the growing scope and frequency of joint military exercises and agreed to further deepen maritime cooperation.
Rajnath Singh also highlighted opportunities for industrial collaboration, particularly in tank and aero engine development, maintenance, and emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and automation. Both sides expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the cyber and space domains. The meeting concluded with a strong commitment to elevate bilateral defence ties to new heights.
Establishing a senior officer-level dialogue body to coordinate the overall collaborative work between their forces and enhance joint exercises among the Japanese Self-Defence Forces and the Indian military is envisaged.
Dissuasions on transferring Unicorn communication antennas similar to those installed on a new Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force destroyer remain on the table. There is a nascent approach to India participating in the Global Combat Air Program, an initiative involving Japan, Britain, and Italy to jointly develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035.
In 2014, the India-Japan relationship was upgraded to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership. They are now more active together in the Indo-Pacific and the Quad, with issues of South Asia largely focusing on trilateral collaboration in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Japan has kept Pakistan more as an economic partner.
On August 20, 2024, New Delhi hosted the third India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting, bringing together India’s Minister of Defence Shri Rajnath Singh, Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, and the Minister of Defence Mr. KIHARA Minoru. The meeting underscored the deepening strategic partnership between the two democracies, rooted in shared values and common visions for regional stability and global peace.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the rules-based international order grounded in the UN Charter, emphasizing respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful dispute resolution. They stressed the importance of maintaining regional stability by preventing unilateral attempts to alter the status quo, thus promoting a secure and predictable Indo-Pacific region.
Central to their discussions was the shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific, aligned with international law and frameworks like ASEAN. They expressed strong support for ASEAN’s centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), advocating openness, transparency, and inclusivity as pillars of regional cooperation. This continues to be maintained.
In regional and global issues, the ministers highlighted the importance of collaboration within the Quad framework, reaffirming their commitment to enhance cooperation based on discussions from the July 2024 Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo.
They recognized the significance of trilateral and bilateral security and defence cooperation, considering it a vital element of their strategic partnership. This includes implementing the Japan National Security Strategy of December 2022, which emphasizes strengthening defence ties with India.
Both ministers condemned terrorism unequivocally, urging international unity to combat global terror networks such as Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammad. They pledged to bring terrorists to justice and eliminate safe havens, terrorist financing, and cross-border movement support.
Regarding defence cooperation, notable milestones were celebrated, including the first Japanese fighter aircraft visit to India, participation in joint exercises like Tarang Shakti and Veer Guardian 2023, and increased maritime and space cooperation.
They underscored ongoing efforts in defence technology transfer, such as the UNICORN radio antenna project, and joint ventures like the India-Japan Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation Group.
Looking ahead, the ministers agreed to update their strategic framework to address current security challenges and reflect the evolving geopolitical landscape. This meeting marks a significant step forward in India-Japan relations, fostering a comprehensive and multifaceted partnership geared toward regional stability, shared prosperity, and global peace.
Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s defence industry’s capabilities, emphasizing collaboration opportunities with Japan in tank and aero engines, maintenance, repair, and overhaul.
Both leaders agreed to strengthen industry ties, exploring niche areas like automation and AI, and advancing cooperation in emerging domains such as cyber and space to promote technological innovation and strategic partnership.
Japan’s South Asia Policy: A Strategic Pivot
Japan’s engagement with South Asia has evolved from a primarily economic focus to a more comprehensive strategic partnership. The last 2+2 meeting underscored Japan’s commitment to strengthening security and defence cooperation with India, recognizing the shared values and principles amid an increasingly complex international situation.
The ministers concurred that cooperation among countries is necessary for a stable Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the importance of defence cooperation and exchanges not only bilaterally but also through multilateral frameworks.
Japan’s Position on Terrorism: A Firm Stance
A central theme of the discussions was the unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The ministers called for concerted actions against all UN-listed terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and their proxy groups.
They emphasized the need to root out terrorists’ safe havens, eliminate terrorist financing channels, and halt the cross-border movement of terrorists. This stance was particularly significant, as it included a call for bringing the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the Pathankot attack to justice.
Pahalgam terrorism has now added to this consistent approach.
Japan’s commitment to counterterrorism extends beyond bilateral discussions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has been actively engaged in international counterterrorism cooperation through various frameworks, such as ASEAN+3, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Japan has contributed to capacity-building assistance, including technical support for immigration control, aviation security, and law enforcement cooperation, particularly in Southeast Asia.
Implications For Regional Security
The Japan-India defence cooperation is a critical component of the broader Indo-Pacific security architecture. Both nations share concerns over China’s growing influence in the region and have committed to upholding a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
The strengthening of bilateral defence ties, coupled with a firm stance against terrorism, sends a clear message about their commitment to regional stability and security.
Furthermore, Japan’s proactive approach to counter-terrorism, including capacity-building assistance and active participation in international frameworks, enhances its role as a responsible global actor.
By aligning its South Asia policy with these objectives, Japan not only contributes to regional security but also reinforces its strategic partnership with India.
Conclusion
The visit of Japan’s Defence Minister to India is a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing regional security. Through the earlier revision of the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, increased defence exercises, and a unified stance against terrorism, both nations have demonstrated their commitment to a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region.
Japan’s evolving South Asia policy and firm position on counter-terrorism underscore its role as a proactive and responsible partner in regional and global security.
- Gurjit Singh is a former Ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN, and the African Union Chair, CII Task Force on Trilateral Cooperation in Africa, Professor, IIT Indore.
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