THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, JULY 2, 2026

 India and Japan on Thursday unveiled an ambitious roadmap to significantly deepen their Special Strategic and Global Partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi committing to stronger cooperation in defence, economic security, clean energy, artificial intelligence, critical technologies and resilient supply chains amid an increasingly volatile global geopolitical environment.

The wide-ranging decisions were announced in the Joint Statement issued after the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, during Prime Minister Takaichi's first official visit to India. The two leaders reaffirmed that India and Japan are "natural and indispensable partners" committed to promoting shared growth, prosperity and resilience while upholding a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

Recognising the growing strategic importance of bilateral ties, both Prime Ministers agreed to focus future cooperation on three priority pillars—defence and security, economic partnership encompassing economic security, energy resilience, technology and innovation, and enhanced people-to-people exchanges.

In a major boost to defence ties, the two countries decided to hold the fourth round of the 2+2 Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo later this year while expanding maritime security cooperation through joint exercises, maritime domain awareness, naval maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and defence equipment collaboration under India's "Make in India" initiative. They also welcomed the agreement reached in principle on the remaining technical aspects of the Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) project and expressed optimism for its early conclusion.

Economic security emerged as another major pillar of the summit, with both sides adopting the India-Japan Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation. The agreement aims to promote project-based collaboration in semiconductors, critical minerals, information and communication technology, pharmaceuticals and clean energy while strengthening resilient global supply chains and reducing dependence on any single country.

The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation in energy security, supporting uninterrupted global energy trade and maritime navigation through critical sea lanes, including the Strait of Hormuz. They welcomed the adoption of a Joint Statement on Energy Resilience and agreed to deepen collaboration on strategic petroleum reserves, clean ammonia, green hydrogen, solar technologies and nuclear energy. Japan also reaffirmed support for the landmark clean ammonia project in Odisha.

Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies featured prominently in the discussions. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the inaugural India-Japan AI Strategic Dialogue and adopted a Joint Statement on AI Cooperation to advance trusted, resilient and responsible AI development while strengthening digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystems.

On the economic front, both leaders expressed satisfaction over the progress towards achieving the target of 10 trillion Yen in Japanese investment in India. They agreed to accelerate the review of the India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), improve investment facilitation, and strengthen cooperation in logistics, agriculture, healthcare, textiles, food processing, automotive manufacturing and financial services.

The summit also saw renewed emphasis on infrastructure collaboration. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project and expressed willingness to explore future high-speed rail corridors across India. They welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on the Next-Generation Mobility Partnership while encouraging greater Japanese participation in India's expanding transportation infrastructure.

The two countries also strengthened collaboration in science, technology and space, reviewing progress on the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission, expanding research partnerships in quantum technologies, and promoting greater academic and scientific exchanges.

To further strengthen people-to-people ties, India and Japan pledged to expand Japanese language education, tourism, student exchanges and cultural cooperation, while encouraging greater collaboration among startups, SMEs, universities and regional governments.

On regional and global issues, the two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Quad framework, ASEAN centrality and a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific. They expressed serious concern over developments in the East and South China Seas, North Korea's nuclear programme and the situation in Myanmar, while supporting a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and reiterating commitment to stability in the Middle East.

The two leaders also strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. They condemned the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam and Delhi and called for bringing the perpetrators, organisers and financiers to justice while urging concerted global action against UN-designated terrorist organisations.

Reaffirming mutual support for each other's candidature for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council, both countries pledged to work closely for comprehensive UN reforms. Marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations as the India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons, Prime Minister Takaichi invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Japan next year for the 17th India-Japan Annual Summit, an invitation that was accepted.