India, Japan hold 8th Defence Policy Dialogue in Tokyo, focus on defence industrial collaboration and cyber security

India and Japan held their eighth Defence Policy Dialogue in Tokyo on Monday (July 13, 2026), India's Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Updated - July 13, 2026 05:42 pm IST | New Delhi

PTI

India and Japan held a key bilateral meeting in Tokyo on Monday (July 13, 2026) to discuss ways to deepen cooperation in emerging domains, including defence industrial collaboration, technological innovation, cyber security, space, and other areas of shared strategic interest, officials said.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the "growing convergence" between the two countries on regional and global security issues. They agreed to continue working closely in the Indo-Pacific, reiterating their commitment to promoting a "free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region founded on respect for international law."

Defence Policy Dialogue

The two sides held their eighth Defence Policy Dialogue in Tokyo on Monday. The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, while the Japanese delegation was led by Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs, Kano Koji.

The two countries held comprehensive discussions on the prevailing regional and global security environment and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, the statement said.

"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," it added.

Emerging Domains and Strategic Cooperation

The two delegations also discussed ways to deepen cooperation in emerging domains, including:

• Defence industrial collaboration
• Technological innovation
• Cyber security
• Space
• Other areas of shared strategic interest

Recent Summit and Bilateral Progress

The key meeting followed soon after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's visit to India from July 1 to 3 for the 16th India-Japan annual summit. It was Ms. Takaichi's first official visit to India.

During the meeting in Tokyo, both sides reviewed the significant progress made in bilateral defence cooperation since the previous Defence Policy Dialogue. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Both sides welcomed the "steady expansion" of defence cooperation and underscored the importance of maintaining regular high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms.

"They discussed the probable outcomes of the forthcoming Ministerial visits, including 2+2, later this year," the Defence Ministry said.

Key Statements

Defence Secretary Singh 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.

Kano Koji reaffirmed Japan's commitment to further expanding defence ties with India across priority areas, the officials said.