The 7^th India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue, co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and Vice Minister of Defense for International Affairs Mr Oka Masami, was held in New Delhi on April 05, 2023. A wide range of issues, including Service-level exercises and engagements, regional security issues and cooperation in defence equipment & technology, were discussed during the meeting. The Japanese Vice Minister also presented policy updates from their recently released National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy.

Both the countries appreciated the growing cooperation between the Services through Staff talks and exercises. They welcomed the conduct of inaugural fighter exercise ‘Veer Guardian’ between the Indian Air Force and Japanese Air Self Defence Force in January this year in Japan. The Defence Secretary emphasised that both the countries should aim to deepen collaboration between the respective defence industries. He also invited Japanese defence industries to look at investment opportunities in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Both sides agreed to diversify cooperation in new and emerging domains like defence space and cyber.

India and Japan reiterated their commitment towards a strong defence partnership and agreed to find opportunities to further enhance the bilateral cooperation. Both sides also agreed to hold the next Defence Policy Dialogue at mutually convenient dates.

The Defence Policy Dialogue is an institutionalized mechanism between India and Japan to discuss bilateral defence cooperation.

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