India-Japan defence cooperation breaks new ground

The article discusses the deepening defence cooperation between India and Japan, marked by Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi's visit to India in August 2026. It highlights the shift from institutional dialogue to operational capability, focusing on enhanced information sharing, Maritime Domain Awareness, joint naval shipbuilding, and defence equipment transfer (like the UNICORN system). The cooperation also includes increasing the complexity of joint exercises (e.g., Veer Guardian) and exploring new areas like unmanned systems and special operations forces. The strategic context is the Indo-Pacific, with both nations sharing concerns about regional security and stability, implicitly addressing challenges from unilateral actions. The visit underscores a broader effort to build a resilient partnership, linking India's industrial capabilities with Japan's technological strengths.