India and Japan expand strategic partnership with focus on economy, energy and technology
India and Japan have unveiled a broad roadmap aimed at strengthening cooperation in economic security, advanced technologies, energy transition and defence amid increasing geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
Following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, both countries announced initiatives covering resilient supply chains, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, batteries, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy.
The leaders also agreed to deepen defence cooperation through expanded naval exercises, closer collaboration on defence technology and an early meeting of the India-Japan 2+2 ministerial dialogue.
Prime Minister Modi described mutual trust as the foundation of the partnership and said both nations had prepared a roadmap to strengthen cooperation in emerging technologies and supply chains. He also highlighted plans to establish 1,000 biogas and organic fertiliser plants in India under a joint initiative linked to the Centre’s GOBARdhan programme.
Takaichi said the changing global environment required stronger collaboration to counter economic coercion and secure reliable supplies of critical minerals. She also announced a new bilateral dialogue on petroleum reserves and reaffirmed Japan’s support for India’s aspiration to join the International Energy Agency.
During the meeting, Modi referred to Takaichi as his “younger sister,” noting the historical Buddhist connections between India’s heritage and Japan’s Nara Prefecture. Takaichi responded by saying the two countries should build on their respective strengths to achieve greater prosperity together.