The head of an Indian defense research institute in an interview has praised Japan¡¯s recent decision to lift its ban on arms exports, voicing hopes for the joint production of warships by, and the promotion of, defense equipment cooperation between the two nations.

¡°I greatly welcome it,¡± said Sujan Chinoy, director-general of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses, who served as Indian ambassador to Japan from 2015 to 2018. ¡°It is something that is going to help Japan with regard to its future security and defense.¡±

He noted that Japan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi?¡ª?who took office last October?¡ª?has proposed providing Abukuma-class destroyers of the country¡¯s Maritime Self-Defense Force to the Philippines after their decommissioning while planning to export an upgraded version of the MSDF¡¯s Mogami-class frigate to Australia.