Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi on Thursday as the two nations looked to take their defence partnership forward.
Rajnath Singh greeted Koizumi during his first official visit to India and expressed his willingness to work with his Japanese counterpart to deepen bilateral cooperation.
The welcome ceremony brought together senior military officials, including Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.
Following the reception, Koizumi visited the National War Memorial and paid tribute to Indian soldiers by laying a wreath.
Koizumi’s India visit comes as New Delhi and Tokyo seek to expand their strategic and security partnership.
The Ministry of Defence said the two Ministers would discuss ways to enhance maritime security cooperation and increase collaboration in defence equipment and technology.
The talks are expected to explore opportunities under the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative following Japan’s changes to its Three Principles on the Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology.
Koizumi reached Mumbai on Wednesday, beginning his two-day India visit with a programme at the Western Naval Command. He inspected a Guard of Honour before visiting the Naval Dockyard, where he placed a wreath at the Gaurav Stambh.
The Japanese Minister toured the indigenous Indian Navy warship INS Chennai during his Mumbai engagements.
Koizumi held separate discussions with Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Western Naval Command.
The Indian Navy subsequently briefed the Japanese delegation about its operational responsibilities and capabilities.
Japanese Ambassador to India Ono Keiichi said the Mumbai programme included productive discussions aimed at advancing maritime cooperation between the two countries.
India and Japan maintain a shared objective of developing a free, open, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
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