Bengaluru, September 20, 2026

A Japanese parliamentary delegation visited Bengaluru as part of the India-Japan Visit Programme, touring the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The visit comes as India and Japan continue to expand cooperation across technology, space, defence and other emerging sectors.

The Embassy of India in Japan said the visit reflects the depth of ongoing cooperation between India and Japan and highlights opportunities for further collaboration in emerging areas. The delegation explored artificial intelligence, technology, space, defence and startups, which are key components of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries. The programme also aims to familiarise Japanese parliamentarians with developments in India and facilitate direct interaction with relevant stakeholders.

The delegation includes former Foreign Minister and former Defence Minister Taro Kono, along with lawmakers Karen Makishima, Kenji Nakanishi and Sako Yamamoto. Bharat Electronics Limited said a three-member Japanese parliamentary delegation led by Taro Kono visited its Bengaluru Complex on September 19. The visit was coordinated by the Ministry of External Affairs under the Distinguished Visitors Programme.

The Bengaluru visit also comes amid continued India-Japan engagement on defence and security. Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited India last month and held talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, after which both sides agreed to further strengthen defence cooperation and translate their discussions into concrete outcomes. In a joint statement, the two countries stressed the importance of sharing assessments of the regional and international security environment amid heightened global tensions.

India and Japan have also reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence cooperation to help realise a free and open Indo-Pacific. Both sides agreed to strengthen operational cooperation in maritime security and signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation, adding another layer to their expanding strategic partnership.