India And Japan Eye Reciprocal Supply And Services Pact To Enhance Military Interoperability

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday (22 November) held bilateral meetings with General Nakatani of Japan and Gilberto Teodoro of the Philippines.

Singh was on a three-day visit (20-22 November) to Vientiane, Laos.

Discussions with Japan covered improving military interoperability and a potential reciprocal supply and services agreement.

If finalised, the agreement would enable Indian warships and aircraft to receive supplies, spares, and assistance at Japanese bases, with similar access granted to Japanese naval ships at Indian bases.

Both nations reiterated the importance of defence industry and technological cooperation. They agreed to strengthen collaboration in co-production and co-development in the defence manufacturing sector.

This comes after India and Japan last week signed an agreement for the joint development of advanced stealth radio communication equipment for naval warships.

Discussions with the Philippines focused on expanding cooperation in areas such as exchange of subject matter experts, defence industry, counter-terrorism, space and maritime domain.

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