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Amid the global instability wrought by the US tariff policy, PM Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba announced a slew of measures, including a Joint Vision for the Next Decade, to boost ties in areas like trade and investment, AI, energy, critical minerals, human resources and defence and security. Among the highlights was a private-investment target of $ 67 billion from Japan to India over the next 10 years, an economic security initiative that identified semiconductors, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals and clean energy as key areas of collaboration and a renewal of the 2008 security declaration aimed at keeping the Indo-Pacific free of coercion in the face of Chinese assertiveness. Both leaders reaffirmed commitment to deepening the Quad partnership and backed the summit that India has to host in November, even though President Donald Trump’s proposed visit to India remains uncertain because of the strained India-US relationship. India and Japan also announced an action plan for talent mobility that will see an exchange of more than 500,000 personnel in 5 years including, as Modi said, 50,000 skilled personnel and potential talent from India to Japan. “Today, we have laid a strong foundation for a new and golden chapter in our Special Strategic and Global Partnership. We have set a roadmap for the next decade. We will also give special attention to connecting Small and Medium Enterprises and Start-ups from both countries,” said Modi, addressing the media along with Ishiba after the meeting. Speaking about the technology partnership, Modi said semiconductors and rare earth minerals were at the top of the agenda. “Cooperation in high technology is a priority for both of us. In this context, Digital Partnership 2.0 and AI cooperation initiatives are being undertaken,” announced Modi. As per the new economic security initiative, India and Japan resolved to advance cooperation in building resilient supply chains and secure critical infrastructure, promoting and protecting key technologies and addressing bilateral impediments to strategic trade and technology collaboration. Modi also said both sides shared concerns about terrorism and cyber security. “We also have shared interests in the areas of defence and maritime security. We have jointly decided to further strengthen our cooperation in the fields of defence industry and innovation, adding India and Japan partnership is rooted in mutual trust, reflects national priorities, and is shaped by shared values and beliefs. Both countries also announced the launch of a Sustainable Fuel Initiative and Battery Supply Chain Partnership, with Modi saying that the green partnership between India and Japan is as strong as the economic partnership. On the delayed Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail, the leaders noted its importance as a flagship project between India and Japan and agreed to work towards commencement of its operations at the earliest. India also welcomed Japan’s offer, as announced by the railway ministry last month, to introduce in the early 2030s the latest E10 series of the Shinkansen, and both sides agreed to install the Japanese signalling system on which the train runs. While welcoming an agreement for cooperation on the Chandrayaan-5 mission, Modi said that active participation will symbolise the progress of humanity “beyond the boundaries of the Earth, and into space”. Ishiba too said that the 2 countries should “draw on each other’s strengths, help solve each other’s challenges, and tackle together the issues that future generations will face”. On regional and global issues, Modi and Ishiba expressed support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. “They also welcomed the ongoing diplomatic efforts by various countries to achieve a just and lasting peace,” said the joint statement. The leaders also expressed grave concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, while calling on all parties to show restraint, protect civilians, comply with international law, and refrain from taking actions that could further escalate the situation and compromise regional stability. Go to Source
