India and Japan held their 8th Defence Policy Dialogue in Tokyo, Japan on 13 July 2026. The Indian delegation was led by defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the Japanese delegation was led by vice minister of defence for International Affairs Kano Koji. Both sides reviewed the significant progress made in bilateral defence cooperation since the previous Defence Policy Dialogue and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

The two countries held comprehensive discussions on the prevailing regional and global security environment and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest. The dialogue reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral defence engagements, including military-to-military exchanges, cooperation between joint headquarters, maritime cooperation, defence exercises, capacity building, defence equipment and technology cooperation including maritime technology, and enhanced institutional interactions.

Both sides welcomed the steady expansion of defence cooperation and underscored the importance of maintaining regular high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms. They discussed probable outcomes for the forthcoming ministerial visits including 2+2 later this year.

Both delegations also discussed ways to deepen cooperation in emerging domains, including defence industrial collaboration, technological innovation, cyber security, space, and other areas of shared strategic interest. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the growing convergence between India and Japan on regional and global security issues and agreed to continue working closely in the Indo-Pacific. They reiterated their commitment to promoting a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region founded on respect for international law.

The defence secretary appreciated Japan’s continued engagement with India in the defence sector and highlighted the importance of strengthening practical cooperation under the framework of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Koji reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to further expanding defence ties with India across priority areas.

Earlier in the day, defence secretary called on Japanese minister of defence Shinjiro Koizumi. Both sides reaffirmed the growing momentum of India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. He also presented an invite from defence minister Rajnath Singh to defence minister of Japan to visit India.  

The visit underscored the growing and deepening defence ties, mutual respect, and shared commitment of India and Japan towards peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.