Japan’s Defence Minister Voices Support for India on Pahalgam Attack During Talks with Rajnath Singh

Japanese Defence Minister General Nakatani met Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Monday and expressed deep condolences over the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Nakatani began the bilateral meeting by offering heartfelt sympathies for the victims of the attack and reiterated Japan’s strong solidarity with India during this difficult time. “I want to start by giving my sincere condolences to people who have lost their lives in Pahalgam, Kashmir," Nakatani told Rajnath at the outset of their discussions.

In response, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh thanked the Japanese government for its unwavering support and expressed appreciation for Nakatani’s continued efforts to strengthen defence ties between the two nations. He said, “I would like to thank the government of Japan for their strong expression of solidarity with India in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. I take this opportunity to compliment you for your immense contribution to deepening the Indo-Japan defence relations.”

The meeting focused on the current regional security environment, particularly in light of recent terrorist activities. The two ministers exchanged views on the evolving security situation and explored ways to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation between India and Japan. The Ministry of Defence had earlier confirmed that this meeting would emphasize avenues for strengthening the strategic partnership in defence.

India and Japan are both key members of the Quad, a strategic forum that also includes the United States and Australia. This bilateral meeting marks the second interaction between the Indian and Japanese defence ministers in six months. Their first meeting was held in November 2024 during the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) event in Laos. These continued engagements underscore the growing convergence in strategic interests and security cooperation between the two nations.

One of the primary areas of discussion during Monday’s meeting was a proposed supply-sharing agreement. Such an agreement would enhance interoperability and logistics cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries, especially during joint exercises and humanitarian assistance missions. Both sides are working toward boosting operational coordination and ensuring readiness to address emerging regional challenges.

The defence and security partnership between India and Japan has seen considerable growth in recent years. Their relationship was upgraded in 2014 to a “special strategic and global partnership,” reflecting the shared vision for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. This partnership places a strong emphasis on military-to-military engagement, defence technology collaboration, and strategic dialogue.

Over the years, India and Japan have held joint military exercises, participated in naval drills such as Malabar, and expanded dialogues between their respective defence and security establishments. These efforts are aimed at reinforcing a rules-based international order and promoting freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific.

The latest meeting between the two defence ministers signals continued momentum in their bilateral ties and reaffirms the commitment of both nations to work together on regional security challenges. With growing geopolitical complexities, India and Japan are expected to deepen their collaboration to ensure mutual security interests and contribute to a stable Indo-Pacific environment.