India and Japan Sign Maritime Security Arrangement

India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation in New Delhi on 20 August 2026.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi formalised the framework after bilateral talks. The document covers information sharing on Maritime Domain Awareness, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Both sides agreed to protect Sea Lines of Communication through mutual ship visits, joint exercises, personnel exchanges and logistical support, including access to ports and maintenance facilities. They will explore joint development in naval shipbuilding and design, combining Japanese technology with Indian production capacity. Japan also indicated willingness to discuss equipment transfers that could improve Indian minesweeping capabilities.

The ministers expressed strong opposition to unilateral actions that impede freedom of navigation or attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion. They did not name any specific country.

Existing exercises such as Dharma Guardian and JAIMEX will expand. A Veer Guardian air exercise is planned for 2026. The arrangement links operational cooperation with defence industrial collaboration under India's Make in India framework.

The agreement comes at a time of heightened attention to Indo-Pacific sea lanes that carry large volumes of trade and energy. It builds on previous security dialogues between the two countries and adds concrete mechanisms for regular interaction between their navies.