India and Japan have signed an agreement between the two countries' armed forces to provide reciprocal materials and services as a move against increased activity in China's Indo-Pacific region.

Following a phone call between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “It is agreed that the agreement will further increase the depth of defence cooperation between the two countries and contribute to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Japan and India said they would further increase bilateral defence engagements under the Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

India signed a similar deal with Australia in early June (2020). Under the “Mutual Logistical Support” agreement, each country was committed to mutual access to its relevant military bases.