Mumbai, Aug. 20 -- Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday for his maiden official visit to India, kicking off a two-day itinerary focused on deepening defence ties and advancing maritime security cooperation between the two nations.

Upon his arrival, Koizumi inspected a Guard of Honour at the Western Naval Command in Mumbai and laid a wreath at the Gaurav Stambh at the Naval Dockyard. As part of his operational briefings, the Japanese Defence Minister visited the indigenous stealth destroyer INS Chennai and held strategic discussions with Indian Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahajan Vatsayan.

According to the Mini...