India and Japan Sign Maritime Security Arrangement to Protect Indo-Pacific Sea Lanes

India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation on August 20 in New Delhi, establishing a structured framework for closer operational links between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi formalised the agreement during bilateral talks. The arrangement covers Maritime Domain Awareness, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination for the protection of Sea Lines of Communication through mutual visits by naval ships and units, joint exercises, personnel exchanges and logistical support, including access to ports and maintenance facilities.

The ministers expressed strong opposition to unilateral actions that impede freedom and safety of navigation and overflight, and to attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.

They also decided to explore joint development in naval shipbuilding and design, combining Japan’s technological expertise with India’s production capabilities under the Make in India framework. Greater use of Indian ship repair facilities is under discussion.

The agreement builds on existing exercises such as Dharma Guardian and JAIMEX, with the planned Veer Guardian 26 air exercise also noted. It comes at a time of heightened competition in the Indo-Pacific, where both countries share interests in keeping critical maritime routes open for trade and energy flows.