Claim

For the first time, India and Japan have signed a defence co-development agreement, meaning both countries will now jointly develop weapons and military technology.

“भारत और जापान के बीच पहली बार डिफेंस को डेवलपमेंट एग्रीमेंट भी हुआ है। जिसका मतलब है कि अब दोनों देश मिलकर हथियार और मिलिट्री टेक्नोलॉजी को भी विकसित करेंगे।”

Rationale

On 2026-07-02, the day of the broadcast, PM Modi and Japanese PM Takaichi announced the signing of India and Japan's first defence co-development agreement — the UNICORN naval radio antenna project — alongside broader defence equipment and technology cooperation commitments. The 'first time' framing matches official statements. The anchor's gloss that the two countries 'will now jointly develop weapons and military technology' slightly generalizes a single naval-antenna project, but joint development of military technology is precisely what the agreement covers, so the claim is substantively accurate.

Evidence

• https://ianslive.in/india-japan-sign-agreement-on-first-co-development-project-in-defence-sector-pm-modi--20260702135912 Wire agency (IANS) report of PM Modi's statement at Hyderabad House on 2026-07-02: 'In the field of defence, today we signed an agreement on the first co-development project between India and Japan.' ✓ reachable · archived
• https://www.theresearchers.us/2026/07/02/india-japan-defence-project-unicorn/ Details the first-ever India-Japan defence co-development project: joint development and manufacturing of the UNICORN naval radio antenna (used on Japan's Mogami-class frigates) for Indian Navy warships, with BEL as the Indian partner. ✓ reachable · archived
• https://aninews.in/news/world/asia/japan-india-22-ministerial-scheduled-for-year-end-tokyo-backs-new-delhis-defence-tech-transfer-iea-bid20260702200016/ ANI report on the 2026-07-02 Modi-Takaichi summit confirming broad agreement on defence technology transfer and co-production, plus deeper defence equipment and technology cooperation under 'Make in India'. ✓ reachable · archived