Raksha Mantri (Indian Defence Minister) Shri Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Mr. Gen Nakatani, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. In an X (Twitter) post, Shri Rajnath Singh not only celebrated the ongoing diplomacy and defense ties between India and Japan, highlighting their Strategic and Global partnership, but he also thanked Mr. Gen Nakatani for his support during this trying time. Raksha Mantri also mentioned how Mr Nakatani expressed solidarity with the country in the wake of the Pahalgam attack and offered his full support to the nation.
It was a delight to meet Japan’s Defence Minister Gen Nakatani San in New Delhi. India shares a Special, Strategic and Global partnership with Japan. During the bilateral meeting we discussed defence cooperation and regional security. Both sides condemned terrorism in all forms… pic.twitter.com/cqd7CWyxLS
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 5, 2025
Condemnation of Terrorism and Call for Unified Action In Bilateral Meet
During the meeting, both ministers unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms, emphasizing the need for global collaboration. Raksha Mantri denounced the neighboring state, condemning Pakistan’s policy of cross-border terrorism against India, carried out via state and non-state actors. He further stated that such attacks can harm the regional peace and stability of the region, and thus require a unified front against both terrorism and the state that sponsors it.
In solidarity, the Japanese Defense Minister also expressed his condolences for the tragic terrorist attack and offered full support to India. The terror attack that shook Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, and claimed the lives of 26 people and injured numerous others, was perpetrated by militants in army fatigues, and targeted tourists in Baisaran meadow.
Previous Bilateral Meetings Between India and Japan
The bilateral meeting, which was announced earlier this month, is the second instance when both ministers are meeting within six months after their maiden interaction in November 2024. As such, the Raksha Mantri brought focus to the importance of this meet, highlighting its contribution in continuing and further strengthening the India-Japan strategic and global partnership.
Last year, both countries held the 3rd 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi, where they had discussed the deepening of defense cooperation between the two nations, highlighting progress in joint military exercises, defense policy dialogues, and the shared vision for Indo-Pacific stability. The 3rd India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Raksha Mantri Calls For Strengthening The India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership
Both ministers reviewed the defense and security pillars of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, reaffirming their commitment towards strengthening bilateral relations and contributing to regional peace. They also congratulated and celebrated the growing diversity and frequency of defense exercises & exchanges between the two countries. Furthering the talks, both ministers also agreed to add new parameters to maritime cooperation between India and Japan.
Exploring Defense Industry Collaboration
During the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh also highlighted the capabilities of India’s defense industry, more particularly, its potential to collaborate with Japan in areas such as manufacturing tank engines and aircraft engines. He underscored the nation’s proficiency in Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations. The Raksha Mantri also agreed to enhance bilateral industry cooperation, exploring collaborations in domains like automation and Artificial Intelligence, along with advanced cooperation in emerging areas such as cyber and space security.
Future Commitments
Both countries have been longstanding friends, but this relationship was elevated further, after the decision to collaborate on a Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014. As such, the meeting ended with a strong dialogue from both sides to further enhance bilateral defense cooperation and pose a united global front against critical and regional matters.
Before meeting the Raksha Mantri, Mr. Gen Nakatani also paid homage to India’s fallen heroes by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome with a Tri-Services Guard of Honour at the Manekshaw Centre.
