Japan‑India Defence Dialogue Deepens as Secretary Reviews Mogami‑Class Vessel

The eighth round of the India‑Japan Defence Policy Dialogue concluded on July 13 in Tokyo, with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh representing India. One day later, Singh travelled to Hiroshima to inspect the seventh‑generation Mogami‑class stealth destroyer, Niyodo, at the Kure naval base.

The dialogue reaffirmed shared objectives: strengthening maritime security, expanding defence cooperation, and maintaining peace in the Indo‑Pacific. Senior Japanese officials, led by Deputy Defence Minister Koji Kano, echoed India’s call for greater coordination.

During his Hiroshima stop, Singh met Vice‑Admiral Matsumoto Tamotsu, reviewed the ship’s advanced stealth features, and discussed possibilities for joint training and information exchange. Prior to the base visit, Singh paid respects at the Self‑Defence Forces monument, a symbolic act of growing camaraderie.

Security experts say the visit signals a concrete step toward a more integrated Indo‑Pacific defence architecture, with both nations poised to play a leading role in safeguarding maritime routes.