India, Mozambique deepen defence ties at fifth Joint Defence Working Group meeting in Maputo

India and Mozambique have moved to expand defence cooperation across a wider set of operational and strategic areas following the fifth Joint Defence Working Group (JDWG) meeting held in Maputo on April 1–2, 2026. The discussions focused on broadening structured military exchanges, enhancing joint training opportunities, strengthening maritime domain awareness, conducting military exercises and advancing collaboration in the supply of defence equipment.

The meeting served as a formal review of bilateral defence engagement since the previous JDWG round, with both sides assessing progress and laying out a forward-looking roadmap for deeper cooperation. The emphasis on maritime awareness and exercises is particularly significant in the Indian Ocean context, where regional security, coastal surveillance and interoperability are increasingly important for littoral partners. This broader agenda suggests that the partnership is evolving beyond routine dialogue into a more practical and structured security relationship.

The Indian delegation was led by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, and included senior representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Armed Forces and the Indian Coast Guard. India’s High Commissioner to Mozambique, Robert Shetkintong, and the Defence Attaché also participated in the meeting. The Mozambican side was led by Casimiro Augusto Muieo, Permanent Secretary for Defence.

According to the PIB release, both countries reaffirmed their strong bilateral ties and a shared commitment to regional security and stability. The latest JDWG meeting underscores India’s continuing effort to deepen defence diplomacy with African partners, especially in the western Indian Ocean, through institutional dialogue, training linkages and capacity-building cooperation.

Reference: PIB