Military hardware, energy supply chains to fortify India-Japan ties

New Delhi: India and Japan on Thursday launched a slew of initiatives, including a joint declaration on economic security and a pact to codevelop military hardware following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi.

The other major outcome from the summit included a joint statement for cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and a joint statement to bolster engagement in the energy supply chain.

The two countries have identified semiconductors, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, clean energy and information and communication technology as priority areas under economic security.

ET had reported this week that India and Japan will announce an arrangement on stockpiling LNG and focus on economic security as they seek to diversify supply chains amid weaponisation of supply chains and the conflict.

Following the summit, Modi introduced Sanae Takaichi not just as the leader of one of India's closest strategic partners, but as his "younger sister" and hailed her origin from the Nara prefecture in Japan, with which, he claimed "India has Buddhists linkages".

Modi announced that India and Japan have signed an agreement for their first co-development project in the defence sector, marking a significant step in bilateral strategic partnership. "This project involving the Naval Radio Antenna 'Unicorn' will open a new chapter in our defence technology partnership."

Modi also acknowledged Japan's exceptional contributions to India's domestic infrastructure and industrial modernisation. He underlined the joint efforts by India and Japan to prepare a roadmap for economic security cooperation.

"Prime Minister Takaichi and I believe that a technology partnership will become the strongest pillar of our cooperation. To realise this vision, we have also issued a joint statement today regarding AI. Several key institutions within the Indian AI ecosystem have also signed agreements with their Japanese partners today." Modi said, "The convergence of Japan's precision technology and India's software capabilities will give a new momentum and strength to global AI development."

The two sides reaffirmed the importance of sharing their respective knowledge and experience, and, where appropriate, promoting concrete cooperation related to stockpiling systems and reserve mechanisms for crude oil and petroleum products.

2027: Shared Horizons

Recalling 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, the two governments, in cooperation with their respective stakeholders, will celebrate 2027 as the India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons.