India-Japan Defence Talks Held in New Delhi
India and Japan held discussions on strengthening defence cooperation during a meeting in New Delhi on September 22, 2026.
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Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Taro Kono, Director General of International Cooperation at Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The two sides exchanged views on defence technology cooperation, joint exercises and regional security in the Indo-Pacific.
The meeting came as both countries continued efforts to expand their strategic and security partnership.
Defence Technology Cooperation Discussed
A key focus of the meeting was strengthening bilateral defence technology collaboration.
India and Japan have been exploring greater cooperation in defence technology and industrial areas. The discussions on September 22 provided an opportunity for officials and lawmakers from both sides to exchange views on expanding this cooperation.
The talks also reflected the broader growth of India-Japan cooperation in technology, innovation and strategic sectors.
Joint Military Exercises on the Agenda
The two sides also discussed joint exercises as part of their wider defence cooperation.
The meeting took place on the same day that Exercise Veer Guardian 2026, the bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force, concluded at Air Force Station Jodhpur. The exercise involved Indian fighter aircraft and Japan’s F-2A fighters.
The timing highlighted the practical military engagement taking place alongside high-level diplomatic discussions.
Focus on Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific
Regional security cooperation was another major topic during the meeting.
India and Japan discussed cooperation aimed at supporting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, a region of importance to both countries.
Their discussions form part of the broader India-Japan strategic relationship, which covers defence, technology, economic security and regional cooperation.
Japanese Parliamentary Delegation Visits India
Taro Kono led a delegation of Japanese parliamentarians from the Liberal Democratic Party during the visit.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the delegation was in India from September 18 to 22 under the India-Japan Distinguished Visitors Programme. Other members included Kenji Nakanishi, Karen Makishima and Sakon Yamamoto.
Before the New Delhi meetings, the delegation also visited institutions in Bengaluru, including the Indian Institute of Science, ISRO and Bharat Electronics Limited. The visits covered areas including technology, research, space and defence.
The delegation’s visit also included discussions on areas beyond defence.
Earlier, the Japanese parliamentarians met India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, with talks covering economic security, supply-chain resilience, trade, investment, technology, innovation and people-to-people ties.
This reflects the wider scope of the India-Japan relationship, which increasingly includes technology and economic security alongside traditional diplomatic and defence cooperation.
1. Defence Technology Is Gaining Importance
The discussions placed defence technology cooperation alongside traditional military engagement as an important area of India-Japan ties.
The meeting followed the conclusion of Exercise Veer Guardian 2026, adding a diplomatic dimension to ongoing military cooperation.
3. Indo-Pacific Security Remains a Shared Focus
Both countries continue to discuss cooperation related to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
4. Cooperation Extends Beyond Defence
The Japanese delegation’s wider programme also covered economic security, technology, space, innovation and supply chains.
India and Japan held discussions in New Delhi on September 22, 2026, focusing on defence technology collaboration, joint exercises and regional security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
The meeting between Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Japanese LDP leader Taro Kono came alongside a wider Japanese parliamentary visit to India, highlighting the expanding range of cooperation between the two countries.
