India–Mozambique Defence Ties Deepen at 5th Joint Working Group Meet in Maputo

India and Mozambique have reinforced their growing defence partnership during the Fifth Joint Defence Working Group (JDWG) meeting, held in Maputo from April 1–2, 2026, with both sides outlining an ambitious roadmap to expand military cooperation and enhance regional security.

The high-level dialogue focused on strengthening structured military engagement, including joint training, maritime cooperation, defence equipment collaboration, and operational exchanges.

Expanding Strategic Defence Engagement

During the two-day meeting, both countries deliberated on key areas of defence cooperation, including:

• Structured military exchanges and capacity building

• Joint training programmes and exercises

• Maritime domain awareness and coastal security

• Collaboration in defence equipment supply and maintenance

The discussions reflect a shared priority to enhance operational interoperability and strengthen defence capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.

Comprehensive Review and Future Roadmap

The JDWG undertook a comprehensive review of progress made since the previous meeting and charted out a forward-looking roadmap for deeper engagement.

Both sides emphasized the need to scale up cooperation in line with evolving regional security challenges, particularly in the Western Indian Ocean, where maritime threats, piracy, and transnational crime remain concerns.

High-Level Participation from Both Sides

The Indian delegation was led by Shri Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence, and included senior representatives from:

• Ministry of Defence

• Indian Armed Forces

• Indian Coast Guard

India's High Commissioner to Mozambique, Shri Robert Shetkintong, and the Defence Attaché also participated in the discussions.

The Mozambican delegation was headed by Mr. Casimiro Augusto Muieo, Permanent Secretary (Defence), reflecting strong institutional commitment from both countries.

Strengthening Maritime and Regional Security

With Mozambique strategically located along the Indian Ocean littoral, the partnership holds significant importance for India's maritime outreach under its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

Enhanced cooperation in maritime domain awareness and coastal surveillance is expected to:

• Improve monitoring of sea lanes

• Strengthen response to maritime threats

• Support stability in the Western Indian Ocean region

Defence Cooperation as a Pillar of Bilateral Relations

India and Mozambique share longstanding ties rooted in historical, economic, and developmental cooperation. Defence engagement has increasingly emerged as a key pillar of bilateral relations, complementing collaboration in sectors such as energy, capacity building, and trade.

A Shared Commitment to Stability

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to regional peace, security, and stability, and their intent to further deepen defence cooperation through regular institutional engagements.

As India expands its strategic partnerships across Africa, the India–Mozambique defence relationship is expected to play a crucial role in promoting maritime security, capacity building, and collaborative defence preparedness in the region.