Defence Minister Rajnath Singh welcomes his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani, at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on Monday.
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Rajnath Singh-X
Japan on Monday “offered full support to India” in its fight against perpetrators of Pahalgam terror attack, adding to global solidarity against Pakistan backed terrorism.
Japan’s Minister of Defence, Gen Nakatani conveyed this during the bilateral meeting with the Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh at Manekshaw Centre, on Monday morning.
Both sides, condemned terrorism in all its forms and emphasised the need for global cooperation in this regard.
“The Japanese Defence Minister expressed his condolences for the tragic terrorist attack which took place in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir on April 22, 2025 and offered full support to India,” Indian Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
Singh, flagged Pakistan’s State policy of cross-border terrorism against India, perpetrated through State and non-State actors.
He stated that such attacks destabilise regional peace and security.
Singh outlined the capability of the Indian defence industry particularly its potential to collaborate with the Japanese side in areas including tank engines and aero engines.
India is scouting for an international partner for indigenous development of aero engines, as it has held discussions with US, the UK, France and Russia to roll out the project.
Japan’s proposal to India for joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) for development of sixth-generation fighter aircraft in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Italy, however, did not come up for discussion in the Singh-Nakatani meeting, sources said.
It is learnt that a Japanese delegation during a visit to Delhi in February, this year, had offered an invitation to come on board for the co-development of sixth-generation aircraft given the high cost of such an attempt.
Singh, however, highlighted the capabilities in the areas of Maintenance Repair and Overhaul operations as India is pitching itself as a global hub for maritime and aerial platforms.
The Defence Ministry said, both sides agreed to enhance industry cooperation, including exploring collaboration in niche domains such as automation and artificial intelligence.
The two Ministers also decided to take forward the cooperation in emerging areas like cyber and space.
Published on May 5, 2025