Japanese lawmakers visit IISc, ISRO and BEL in Bengaluru to deepen India-Japan cooperation

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 cooperation between the two countries.

The Indian Embassy in Japan said the visit reflects the depth of ongoing India-Japan cooperation and highlights opportunities for further collaboration in areas including artificial intelligence, technology, space, defence and startups.

The delegation includes Japanese lawmakers Taro Kono, Karen Makishima, Kenji Nakanishi and Sako Yamamoto, all associated with Japan's Liberal Democratic Party.

"This India-Japan Visit Program began in Bengaluru, where the members of parliament visited the Indian Institute of Science (IISC), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Bharat Electronics Limited," the Indian Embassy in Japan said in a post on X.

The Embassy said the programme aims to familiarise Japanese lawmakers with the latest developments in India, provide them with an opportunity to experience the country's situation firsthand and facilitate direct interaction with relevant stakeholders.

BEL also confirmed the visit, saying that the Japanese parliamentary delegation, led by former Japanese Foreign Minister and former Defence Minister Taro Kono, visited its Bengaluru complex on September 19. The visit was coordinated by India's Ministry of External Affairs under the Distinguished Visitors Programme.

The visit comes amid growing cooperation between India and Japan in strategic sectors, including defence and maritime security.

Last month, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited India and held talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Following their meeting, Koizumi said both sides had made a new start in accelerating Japan-India defence cooperation and expressed his intention to turn discussions into concrete outcomes.

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

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

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

The latest parliamentary visit further highlights the expanding engagement between India and Japan across technology, defence, space and other strategic areas.