India and Japan are stepping up their military cooperation, with officials from both nations recently engaging in discussions to bolster their defense ties. This development took place during the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-Plus) held at Vientiane, Laos, where Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister General Nakatani met to explore avenues for enhanced interoperability between their armed forces.
The talks concentrated on several key areas, including the reciprocal provision of supplies and services, as well as the importance of joint military exercises. The collaboration aims to improve coordination and efficiency between the two countries' military forces. According to Singh, both nations reiterated the significance of defense industry and technological partnerships which could lead to co-production and co-development projects within the defense manufacturing sector.
Since signing the agreement for reciprocal provision of supplies and services back in September 2020, both India and Japan have made strides toward closer military cooperation. This pact facilitates collaboration during bilateral training exercises, United Nations peacekeeping missions, and humanitarian assistance initiatives. The latest discussions highlighted new opportunities for collaboration, particularly within the air domain, indicating readiness to extend defense partnerships even beyond traditional boundaries.
During his trip, Defence Minister Singh also met with Gilberto Teodoro, the defense minister of the Philippines, with talks revolving around mutual cooperation across various areas including counter-terrorism, maritime security, and space.
This dialogue reinforces India's commitment to strengthen defense collaboration within the ASEAN framework, which includes key partners like the United States, China, and Russia. Such efforts are aimed at fostering stability and security throughout the Indo-Pacific region, amid growing geopolitical concerns.
Meanwhile, Singh's meetings at the ADMM-Plus also included discussions with U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin. They focused on advancing operational coordination and the sharing of strategic information, signifying the ever-deepening relationship between India and the United States within the defense arena.
On the regional backdrop, Singh also addressed tensions with China during discussions with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, highlighting the importance of resolving border disputes through dialogue. Following recent disengagements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between Indian and Chinese troops, Singh emphasized the need for continued de-escalation to build trust and maintain peace.
The disengagement is viewed as initial progress, yet both countries have maintained significant military deployments along the border, indicating the necessity for long-term strategies to achieve lasting peace.
With India and Japan embarking on this enhanced military cooperation, experts suggest this signals not only a strengthening of bilateral relations but also reflects their mutual concerns about security dynamics within the Asia-Pacific region. The cooperation could serve as both deterrent and diplomatic leverage against rising tensions from other nations.
