Japanese Defence Minister Shinjirō Koizumi is scheduled to visit India in mid-August for an official visit, according to reports.

During the visit, he is expected to hold bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

According to officials from Japan’s Ministry of Defence, discussions are expected to focus on defence equipment cooperation, including Japan’s possible export of the “Unico” communication antenna system used for naval vessels to India.

This will be Koizumi’s first official visit to India since assuming office in October last year.

Following the recent Japan-India summit agreement to further strengthen strategic cooperation, the two defence chiefs are also expected to discuss expanding joint military exercises between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the Indian Armed Forces.

In addition, the ministers are likely to exchange views on the current security situation in the Indo-Pacific region, including developments related to China.