NEW DELHI: India has urged Japan to exercise caution over the possible transfer of advanced defence technology to Pakistan, citing concerns about the potential proliferation of sensitive military capabilities and Islamabad’s historical links with North Korea.
The issue reportedly came up during Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s visit to India on Thursday, where he held talks with his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh. The discussions produced significant developments in India-Japan defence cooperation, including a push towards greater collaboration in naval manufacturing and defence technology.
While welcoming the deepening strategic partnership with Tokyo, New Delhi reportedly stressed that the transfer of sensitive defence technologies to Pakistan should be carefully assessed in view of wider regional security concerns.
India’s position is linked to the history of nuclear and missile-related cooperation between Pakistan and North Korea. Indian officials have pointed to the past activities of Pakistani nuclear scientist Dr A.Q. Khan, who was accused of providing nuclear centrifuge-related technology and assistance to Pyongyang.
New Delhi has argued that any transfer of sophisticated Japanese defence technology to Pakistan should include strict safeguards to prevent the technology from being diverted or reaching third countries.
The issue highlights the increasingly complex security environment in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific, where India and Japan are simultaneously strengthening their strategic and defence partnership.
Despite the reported differences over potential defence technology transfers to Pakistan, India and Japan continue to expand cooperation in maritime security, naval capabilities and defence manufacturing.
The talks between Singh and Koizumi therefore underscore both countries’ growing strategic alignment, while also reflecting India’s concerns over the wider regional implications of advanced military technology transfers.
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