Blitz Bureau
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi on July 2 elevated the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership with a series of landmark agreements spanning defence, artificial intelligence (AI), economic security, clean energy and emerging technologies, including the signing of the first-ever co-development project in the defence sector between the two countries.
Addressing a joint press statement after the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit in New Delhi, PM Modi described Japan as one of India’s most trusted partners and said the two nations were entering a “new chapter” in their bilateral relationship.
“I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Takaichi on her first visit to India for the India-Japan Annual Summit. She is also Japan’s first female Prime Minister, and a visionary and popular leader. Furthermore, she hails from Japan’s Nara Prefecture, a very important centre of India-Japan’s shared Buddhist heritage,” the Prime Minister said.
Referring to the growing strategic importance of the partnership, PM Modi said, “Just a few days ago, at the G7 Summit, I said that in today’s environment of global turmoil, mutual trust is our greatest strategic asset. And I am proud that the India-Japan partnership fully meets this criterion.”
“Over the past several decades, Japan has built an invaluable bond of friendship and trust by being a key partner in India’s growth story, from automotive to electronics. … with Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit, we are beginning a new chapter in our Special Strategic and Global Partnership,” he added.
The Prime Minister noted that both India and Japan are among the world’s largest economies and share a common vision for a free, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
Highlighting technology as a key pillar of future cooperation, PM Modi announced the adoption of a Joint Statement on Artificial Intelligence.
“Prime Minister Takaichi and I believe that technology partnership will become the strongest pillar of our cooperation. To realize this vision, we have also issued a Joint Statement in the field of AI. Several leading institutions in the Indian AI ecosystem have also signed agreements with their Japanese partners today. The confluence of Japan’s precision technology and India’s software capabilities will give new impetus and strength to global AI development,” he said.
In a major breakthrough in defence cooperation, the Prime Minister announced the signing of the first India-Japan defence co-development project.
“In the defence sector, we have signed an agreement on the first co-development project between India and Japan. This Naval Radio Antenna project will open a new chapter in our defence technology partnership. We will now jointly develop defence technologies that strengthen regional peace, maritime security, and rules-based order,” PM Modi said.
The two countries also expanded cooperation in healthcare and biotechnology.
On economic ties, PM Modi said Japanese investments in India continue to gather momentum.
“Our goal is clear: to attract 10 trillion yen of investment from Japan to India over the next 10 years, and to double the number of Japanese companies in India. Ongoing reforms in India have increased the ease of doing business, and Japanese companies can also benefit from this,” he added.
He also announced the launch of the India-Japan Next Generation Mobility Partnership Framework.
“Today we have also established the India-Japan Next Generation Mobility Partnership Framework. Through this, we will replicate our success story in the automotive sector in areas such as shipbuilding, aviation, and logistics,” he said.
Underscoring the importance of people-to-people ties, PM Modi said both countries would expand cooperation in education, research, skill development and innovation.
