NEW DELHI, Aug. 20 (Jiji Press) -- Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, on Thursday confirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in maritime security and on defense equipment, with the aim of stabilizing the Indo-Pacific region.

In their meeting in New Delhi, the two defense ministers also agreed to expand exchanges between the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Indian military.

Koizumi and Singh signed a memorandum on maritime security cooperation, which calls for exploring the possibility of equipment transfers to enhance the Indian Navy's minesweeping capabilities and for joint development in naval shipbuilding and design.

The memorandum also said the two countries will utilize each other's shipyards for naval repair and maintenance to ensure the stability of sea lanes.

In the meeting, Koizumi explained that the Japanese government has revised its three principles on defense equipment transfers and their implementation guidelines to enable exports of lethal weapons in principle.

Singh expressed hope for deeper defense cooperation.

They agreed to work closely to facilitate the swift export of Japan's Unicorn seaborne communications antenna to India.

On exchanges between the two countries' respective forces, the ministers confirmed the first-ever participation by Air SDF fighter aircraft in the Veer Guardian joint exercise between the ASDF and the Indian Air Force, to be held soon.

"The responsibilities and roles that Japan and India must play to maintain the international order are growing," Koizumi told reporters after the meeting, likely with developments involving China in mind.

He and Singh agreed to accelerate preparations for holding a two-plus-two meeting of the two countries' foreign and defense ministers by the end of this year.