Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (August 20) bid farewell to his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi with a warm "Arigato" in Japanese, drawing a "Namaste" in response. The exchange came after the India-Japan Defence Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, where both sides discussed ways to deepen defence cooperation ahead of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">India&#39;s Rajnath Singh bids farewell to Japan&#39;s defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Japanese, gets a warm &quot;Namaste&quot; in return . . . .<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Japan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Japan</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/IndiaJapanDiplomacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaJapanDiplomacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/VuztqopY9Y">pic.twitter.com/VuztqopY9Y</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2090411442638111157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Earlier, Singh held bilateral talks with Koizumi in the national capital. The two countries agreed to expand cooperation in key areas, including maritime security and the Indo-Pacific region.<h3>India, Japan deepen maritime security cooperation</h3>The two ministers reaffirmed their support for a free and open Indo-Pacific and exchanged views on the regional and international security situation amid ongoing global tensions.&nbsp;Both sides also opposed unilateral attempts to alter the status quo affecting navigation rights. The joint statement said, "The two Ministers concurred on deepening operational cooperation in the field of maritime security practically and effectively."&nbsp;Singh welcomed Japan's recent review of its framework for defence equipment and technology transfers. He also expressed hope that Tokyo would make a greater contribution to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.&nbsp;"Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomed Japan's recent review of its framework for the transfer of defence equipment and technology, and expressed his expectation that Japan would further contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and the wider world," the joint statement stated.&nbsp;The two ministers also signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation. The agreement will create a structured framework for cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.&nbsp;"The two Ministers affirmed that they would strengthen coordination between both sides for the protection of Sea Lines of Communications through mutual visits by naval ships and units, joint exercises, personnel and Subject Matter Expert (SME) exchanges and logistical support, including use of ports, maintenance and repair facilities," the statement noted.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-interest-in-it-at-all-north-korea-on-trump-s-scaled-back-drills-with-south-korea-1787229117290">'No interest in it at all': North Korea on Trump's scaled-back drills with South Korea</a><h3>India, Japan explore defence production</h3>India and Japan will explore opportunities for joint development in naval shipbuilding and design by combining Japan's technological expertise with India's production capabilities, in line with their respective policies.&nbsp;The two sides also stressed the importance of using their respective strengths in defence shipbuilding and continuing discussions on integrating India's manufacturing capabilities under the "Make in India" initiative.&nbsp;"With a view to further advancing cooperation among the Services of the two countries, the two Ministers concurred on promoting exchanges between their respective Special Operations Forces and pursuing cooperation with India's integrated theatre commands following their establishment," the joint statement read.&nbsp;The ministers also discussed the shipborne UNICORN integrated communications antenna system. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to carrying forward the initiative, which marks the flagship defence equipment transfer project between the two countries.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi agreed to deepen defence and maritime security cooperation while exploring joint shipbuilding and technology initiatives, with their meeting ending on a warm "Arigato" and "Namaste" exchange.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (August 20) bid farewell to his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi with a warm "Arigato" in Japanese, drawing a "Namaste" in response. The exchange came after the India-Japan Defence Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, where both sides discussed ways to deepen defence cooperation ahead of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi agreed to deepen defence and maritime security cooperation while exploring joint shipbuilding and technology initiatives, with their meeting ending on a warm "Arigato" and "Namaste" exchange.

Watch: 'Arigato' meets 'Namaste' as Rajnath Singh bids Japan's defence minister farewell

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will travel to India next week for high-level talks, marking a further step in the growing security cooperation between the two nations. Koizumi is scheduled to meet Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 20 August. The visit forms part of a two-nation tour that will also take him to Australia. During his stay in India, he is expected to visit a naval base, as maritime focus in ties gain a new momentum. The visit comes weeks after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was in Delhi for the annual summit with PM Modi as both sides agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation.&nbsp;India and Japan have steadily expanded defence cooperation in recent years. At last year’s annual summit the two countries adopted a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation. They already take part in a range of joint exercises: the naval drill JAIMEX 25, the army exercise Dharma Guardian, and the air force fighter exercise Veer Guardian. Japan also participated in the International Fleet Review 2026 held in Visakhapatnam.&nbsp;Officials on both sides are pushing for deeper maritime security collaboration. This includes more frequent exercises, improved maritime domain awareness through satellite capabilities, naval maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work, and closer defence equipment and technology cooperation under India’s “Make in India” framework. A significant shift came earlier this year when Japan overhauled its long-standing restrictions on defence exports. Tokyo reviewed the “Three Principles” that had tightly limited the transfer of defence equipment and technology since the Cold War era. The change allows Japan to supply lethal military hardware and advanced systems to trusted partners such as India.&nbsp;India formally welcomed the move. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in April: “India welcomes Japan’s review of the three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology. Defense and security cooperation forms an important pillar of India-Japan special strategic and global partnership.” He noted that both sides had committed to practical cooperation for national security and economic resilience, including technological and industrial collaboration between government and private sector partners.&nbsp;One concrete project is already advancing. The two countries have reached agreement in principle on technical details for the Unified Complex Radio Antenna, known as UNICORN, a stealth technology system for warships. Officials expressed hope for an early conclusion of the project and agreed to explore other joint defence equipment and technology initiatives.&nbsp;A 2+2 dialogue involving foreign and defence ministers from both countries is expected to take place by the end of 2026, providing another platform to advance the partnership. The visit comes as both nations seek to strengthen their roles in the Indo-Pacific. For Japan, the policy change marks a clear departure from post-war pacifism. For India, closer ties with Tokyo offer access to advanced technology and a reliable partner amid regional security challenges.

The visit forms part of a two-nation tour that will also take him to Australia. During his stay in India, he is expected to visit a naval base, as maritime focus in ties gain a new momentum

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will travel to India next week for high-level talks, marking a further step in the growing security cooperation between the two nations. Koizumi is scheduled to meet Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 20 August. The visit forms part of a two-nation tour that will also take him to Australia. During his stay in India, he is expected to visit a naval base, as maritime focus in ties gain a new momentum. The visit comes weeks after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was in Delhi for the annual summit with PM Modi as both sides agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation. India and Japan have steadily expanded defence cooperation in recent years. At last year’s annual summit the two countries adopted a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation. They already take part in a range of joint exercises: the naval drill JAIMEX 25, the army exercise Dharma Guardian, and the air force fighter exercise Veer Guardian. Japan also participated in the International Fleet Review 2026 held in Visakhapatnam. Officials on both sides are pushing for deeper maritime security collaboration. This includes more frequent exercises, improved maritime domain awareness through satellite capabilities, naval maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work, and closer defence equipment and technology cooperation under India’s “Make in India” framework. A significant shift came earlier this year when Japan overhauled its long-standing restrictions on defence exports. Tokyo reviewed the “Three Principles” that had tightly limited the transfer of defence equipment and technology since the Cold War era. The change allows Japan to supply lethal military hardware and advanced systems to trusted partners such as India. India formally welcomed the move. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in April: “India welcomes Japan’s review of the three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology. Defense and security cooperation forms an important pillar of India-Japan special strategic and global partnership.” He noted that both sides had committed to practical cooperation for national security and economic resilience, including technological and industrial collaboration between government and private sector partners. One concrete project is already advancing. The two countries have reached agreement in principle on technical details for the Unified Complex Radio Antenna, known as UNICORN, a stealth technology system for warships. Officials expressed hope for an early conclusion of the project and agreed to explore other joint defence equipment and technology initiatives. A 2+2 dialogue involving foreign and defence ministers from both countries is expected to take place by the end of 2026, providing another platform to advance the partnership. The visit comes as both nations seek to strengthen their roles in the Indo-Pacific. For Japan, the policy change marks a clear departure from post-war pacifism. For India, closer ties with Tokyo offer access to advanced technology and a reliable partner amid regional security challenges.

The visit forms part of a two-nation tour that will also take him to Australia. During his stay in India, he is expected to visit a naval base, as maritime focus in ties gain a new momentum

Japanese defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi to visit India next week for key talks with defence minister Rajnath Singh

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Watch: 'Arigato' meets 'Namaste' as Rajnath Singh bids Japan's defence minister farewell

Japanese defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi to visit India next week for talks