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The 11th India-Japan Naval Staff Talks in New Delhi: Convergence in the Indo-Pacific
- Kaveri Jain
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The maritime geography of the Indo-Pacific is currently undergoing a period of profound structural realignment. At the centre of this shift lies the evolving security architecture between New Delhi and Tokyo. The 11th edition of the Indian Navy-Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Staff Talks, which concluded in New Delhi on 29 January 2026, represents a significant data point in this trajectory. The talks underscore a deeper, more humanized commitment to a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP)- a vision that has moved from being an abstract political rhetoric to a more tangible operational reality.
Strategic Interoperability
The recent naval discussions, co-chaired by Rear Admiral Srinivas Maddula and Rear Admiral Toshiyuki Hirata, centred on the critical concept of ‘interoperability’. In academic terms, this is often reduced to technical compatibility. However, in practice, it is the cornerstone of ‘security trust.’ By agreeing to enhance cooperation across operations, equipment and personnel, both navies are addressing the "interoperability gap" that often hinders multinational coalitions.
The JMSDF’s commitment to deepening relations through personnel exchange is particularly noteworthy here. It suggests an investment in human capital- building a shared professional culture among officers who will, in future crises, rely on mutual intuition as much as technological interfaces.
Aligning Visions: MAHASAGAR, OCEAN and the Global Commons
A pivotal element of the New Delhi talks was the effort to build convergence between India’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) initiative and Japan’s maritime security doctrines. From a policy perspective, this alignment is extremely vital. India’s vision for “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) finds a natural mirror in Japan’s emphasis on the ‘OCEAN’ concept, which accords priority to the rule of law and the protection of the global commons.
By focusing on niche areas like maritime domain awareness and supply chain resilience, India and Japan are effectively de-risking the regional economy. As External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar noted following his dialogue with Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, this partnership is now a primary vehicle for shaping a more resilient international order.
The Diplomatic Underpinnings of Naval Power
A critical question in international relations is how military talks are influenced by civil diplomacy. The recent naval talks were effectively bolstered by the high-level diplomatic push that occurred just two weeks prior. On January 16, the Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi held an extensive 50-minute meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This meeting acted as a strategic catalyst. By resolving high-level political questions regarding “de-risking” the economy and securing supply chains, the ministers cleared the path for the admirals. The diplomatic dialogue provided the legal and political framework, while the naval staff talks provided the operational mechanics. When Motegi refers to the two nations as “natural partners,” he provides the mandate for the navies to move beyond port calls and into integrated defense technology cooperation. It is an acknowledgement of a shared democratic identity, shared commitment to the values of peace and stability and a mutual vulnerability to maritime disruptions in the Indo-Pacific.
A Decade in the Making: a shift from Caution to Commitment
To appreciate the significance of these 2026 talks, one must look back to the foundational shifts in this partnership. Over a decade ago, in 2014, then-MSDF Chief Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano delivered a candid message to the Indian political establishment. At the time, Japan was “wanting very much” to deepen naval ties and rejoin the Malabar exercises, but observed that Indian politics remained “very complicated” due to caution regarding regional sensitivities. Today, the landscape has fundamentally transformed. The uncertainty noted by Admiral Kawano in 2014 has been replaced by a resolute strategic clarity, as he had hoped that India would do “much more” to build closer relations with Japan. The recent talks in New Delhi prove that the era of hesitation is over, giving way to a sophisticated and institutionalized military alignment.
Conclusion: A Partnership of Necessity and Value
The 11th Staff Talks demonstrate that the India-Japan relationship has transitioned from a consultative phase to a phase that is deeply integrated and operational. By focusing on the interoperability of minds as much as the interoperability of machines, New Delhi and Tokyo are creating a stabilizing force in an increasingly fragmented Indo-Pacific.
Hence, this is a partnership grounded in a shared realization. In the 21st century, no single nation can be the sole guarantor of maritime peace. The natural partnership between the tiger and the sun is no longer just a diplomatic aspiration. It is the functional reality as well as necessity of a region striving to remain free, open, rule-based and inclusive.
About the Author
Kaveri Jain is a doctoral researcher in International Relations at the Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida. Her work focuses on India-Japan relations during the Shinzo Abe era. She has presented at academic conferences, published in peer-reviewed platforms and written on various aspects of India-Japan ties, including foreign policy, technology cooperation, cultural exchange, diaspora diplomacy and engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.