Japan Delegation Engages With India’s Scientific and Space Institutions

A four-member Japanese parliamentary delegation visited the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru as part of an India-Japan visit programme aimed at strengthening bilateral engagement.

The Indian Embassy in Japan said the programme reflects the depth of ongoing cooperation between the two countries and provides opportunities to explore areas of future collaboration.

The embassy said the delegation began its India visit in Bengaluru, where the lawmakers visited key institutions involved in science, space and defence. It highlighted cooperation between India and Japan in areas such as artificial intelligence, technology, space, defence and startups as an important component of the two countries’ Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

BEL said a three-member Japanese parliamentary delegation led by Taro Kono, Japan’s former Foreign Minister and former Defence Minister, visited its Bengaluru Complex on September 19. The visit was coordinated by India’s Ministry of External Affairs under the Distinguished Visitors Programme.

The Japanese delegation includes Liberal Democratic Party representatives Taro Kono, Karen Makishima, Kenji Nakanishi and Sako Yamamoto.

According to the Indian Embassy in Japan, the visit programme is intended to familiarise Japanese lawmakers with recent developments in India, provide them with an opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the country and facilitate direct interaction with relevant stakeholders.

The visit comes amid continued efforts by India and Japan to expand cooperation across strategic and emerging sectors.

Last month, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited India and held talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Following the meeting, Koizumi said he would work towards translating the discussions into concrete outcomes and further strengthening mutual trust.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, Singh and Koizumi stressed the importance of sharing assessments of the regional and international security environment amid heightened global tensions.

Referring to the Japan-India Joint Statement issued in July 2026, the two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen defence cooperation under their leadership to contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The ministers also agreed to strengthen practical and effective operational cooperation in maritime security. As part of this effort, India and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing maritime security cooperation and signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation.