Context
India and Japan held the 8th Defence Policy Dialogue in Tokyo on 13 July 2026. It was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Japan’s Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs Kano Koji. The two sides reviewed bilateral defence cooperation and reiterated their commitment to a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
What is the Defence Policy Dialogue?
The India–Japan Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) is a high-level institutional mechanism between the defence ministries of India and Japan.
It is generally conducted at the level of:
- Defence Secretary of India
- Japanese Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs
The first India–Japan Defence Policy Dialogue was held in 2007. It provides a platform for reviewing the entire spectrum of bilateral defence and security relations and identifying new areas of cooperation.
Unlike the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which brings together the Foreign and Defence Ministers of both countries, the Defence Policy Dialogue is primarily an official-level mechanism focused on defence policy, military exchanges, exercises, technology and capability development.
Major Outcomes of the 8th Dialogue
Review of Defence Cooperation
Both sides reviewed cooperation in:
- Military-to-military exchanges
- Interaction between joint service headquarters
- Maritime security
- Bilateral and multilateral military exercises
- Capacity building
- Defence equipment and technology
- Institutional defence exchanges
The two countries also agreed to maintain regular high-level exchanges and strengthen practical cooperation.
Emerging Security Domains
India and Japan discussed expanding cooperation in:
- Defence industrial collaboration
- Technological innovation
- Cybersecurity
- Space
- Maritime technology
- Other emerging strategic domains
These areas reflect the growing importance of non-conventional and technology-driven dimensions of national security.
Indo-Pacific Cooperation
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to a:
- Free Indo-Pacific
- Open and inclusive regional order
- Rules-based maritime system
- Regional order founded on international law
India and Japan share concerns regarding coercion, unilateral alteration of the status quo and threats to freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.
Preparation for Ministerial Engagements
The dialogue discussed possible outcomes for forthcoming ministerial visits, including the next India–Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue.
Broader India–Japan Defence Architecture
The Defence Policy Dialogue forms part of a multilayered security partnership consisting of:
2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
It involves the:
- Defence Minister and External Affairs Minister of India
- Defence Minister and Foreign Minister of Japan
The third 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 20 August 2024.
Annual Defence Ministerial Meeting
It enables direct strategic discussions between the Defence Ministers of both countries.
Service-Level Staff Talks
Separate interactions are conducted between the:
- Indian Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
- Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
- Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force
The two countries have also initiated Joint Service Staff Talks to promote tri-service cooperation.
Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation
The Joint Working Group on Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation explores:
- Joint research
- Co-development
- Defence manufacturing
- Technology transfer
- Cooperation between defence industries
Major Defence Exercises
Dharma Guardian
A bilateral exercise between the:
- Indian Army
- Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
It focuses on counter-terrorism, tactical operations and interoperability.
JIMEX
The Japan–India Maritime Exercise is conducted between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
It focuses on:
- Maritime warfare
- Anti-submarine operations
- Air defence
- Maritime domain awareness
- Coordination at sea
Veer Guardian
It is a bilateral fighter-aircraft exercise between the Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Its inaugural edition was conducted in 2023.
Malabar Exercise
Japan is a permanent participant in the Malabar naval exercise, along with:
- India
- United States
- Australia
It enhances advanced maritime interoperability among the four Quad countries.
Important Defence Agreements
2008 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation
The Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between India and Japan, signed in 2008, provided the broad framework for bilateral security cooperation.
Both countries have agreed to revise and update it to reflect contemporary security challenges.
Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement
The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) allows the armed forces of India and Japan to obtain reciprocal logistical support, including:
- Fuel
- Transport
- Repair and maintenance
- Supplies
- Use of military facilities during exercises and operations
It improves operational reach and interoperability.
Significance for India
Balancing China’s Assertiveness
Closer defence cooperation with Japan strengthens India’s strategic position amid:
- China’s military expansion
- East and South China Sea disputes
- Border tensions
- Growing Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean
Maritime Security
India and Japan are heavily dependent on secure sea lanes for trade and energy. Cooperation enhances:
- Maritime domain awareness
- Protection of sea lanes
- Anti-piracy operations
- Disaster response
- Freedom of navigation
Defence Modernisation
Japanese expertise in advanced manufacturing, robotics, electronics, shipbuilding and dual-use technologies can support India’s defence modernisation.
Indo-Pacific Strategy
Japan is an important partner in India’s:
- Act East Policy
- SAGAR vision
- Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative
- Quad cooperation
Defence Industrial Development
Technology collaboration can support:
- Make in India
- Atmanirbhar Bharat
- Indigenous defence manufacturing
- Integration into advanced defence supply chains
Challenges
- Slow progress in defence technology transfer and joint production.
- Differences in procurement procedures and regulatory frameworks.
- Japan’s traditionally restrictive defence export policies.
- High cost of Japanese defence technology.
- Different strategic priorities regarding China.
- Limited number of commercially successful defence-industrial projects.
- Need to convert strategic convergence into operational cooperation.
Way Forward
- Accelerate joint research and co-production of defence platforms.
- Expand collaboration in unmanned systems, artificial intelligence and robotics.
- Strengthen cybersecurity and space situational awareness.
- Enhance maritime domain awareness and anti-submarine warfare cooperation.
- Increase the complexity and frequency of joint military exercises.
- Develop resilient defence supply chains.
- Promote cooperation between private defence companies and startups.
- Explore coordinated capacity building for third countries in the Indo-Pacific.
Conclusion
The India–Japan Defence Policy Dialogue is an important institutional pillar of the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Its expansion from conventional military exchanges to cyber, space, maritime technology and defence industry reflects the growing strategic convergence between the two countries.
However, the success of the partnership will depend on converting regular dialogues into concrete outcomes through joint production, technology cooperation, operational interoperability and sustained coordination in the Indo-Pacific.
