New Delhi: Japan’s former Vice-Minister of Defence for International Affairs, Hideshi Tokuchi, called for deeper India-Japan defence cooperation, warning that China’s military presence along India’s northern frontier, its weapons supplies to Pakistan and its expanding maritime footprint are creating a complex security environment for New Delhi. Speaking to ANI on November 3 on the sidelines of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2026 in New Delhi, Tokuchi said that the two countries need to do significantly more together to strengthen regional security.
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Tokuchi identified maritime security as a major area for closer cooperation, pointing to the expanding presence of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy and China Coast Guard across the Indo-Pacific. He noted that Japan also faces growing maritime pressure from China, giving New Delhi and Tokyo common strategic concerns and a shared interest in protecting vital sea routes.
The former Japanese official highlighted defence technology, equipment cooperation and ship repair as priority areas. India and Japan can combine Japanese technological expertise with India’s manufacturing capacity to expand collaboration in naval shipbuilding, maintenance and maritime surveillance.
The call came amid renewed momentum in bilateral defence relations. On October 28, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi, reviewed progress in maritime security cooperation, mine-countermeasure capabilities, potential joint naval shipbuilding and cooperation between their air forces. Both sides also welcomed a defence industry forum involving around 40 companies from India and Japan.
India and Japan are also advancing cooperation in information-sharing, maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, joint exercises and defence technology. Tokuchi’s remarks underlined the growing strategic convergence between the two countries as they seek to strengthen deterrence, protect maritime trade and support a free, open and stable Indo-Pacific.
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