New Delhi, 02 July (H.S.):

India and Japan on Thursday significantly expanded their Special Strategic and Global Partnership, announcing a series of major initiatives spanning defence, investment, energy security, advanced technology and clean energy cooperation following the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held wide-ranging bilateral talks at Hyderabad House before witnessing the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and issuing a Joint Press Statement.

Addressing the media after the summit, Prime Minister Modi described Takaichi's maiden visit to India as Japanese Prime Minister as a milestone that would open a new chapter in bilateral relations. Referring to her as a visionary leader, Modi also warmly described Takaichi as his younger sister, highlighting the close personal rapport between the two leaders and the deep trust underpinning India-Japan ties.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific, stressing that both countries would continue to work together to promote regional peace, maritime security and stability while respecting international law.

A major outcome of the summit was the announcement of the first-ever India-Japan defence co-development project. The initiative marks a significant advancement in bilateral defence cooperation and reflects the growing convergence between New Delhi and Tokyo on strategic and security issues. Both sides agreed to jointly develop defence technologies that would strengthen regional security and contribute to maintaining a rules-based international order.

Economic cooperation also received a substantial boost. Prime Minister Modi said India and Japan have signed around 120 business agreements over the past year and announced a new target of attracting Japanese investment worth 10 trillion yen over the next decade. The investment is expected to support manufacturing, infrastructure development, digital technologies and innovation while creating new opportunities for economic growth in both countries.

Recognising growing global economic uncertainties, the two leaders also unveiled a comprehensive roadmap on economic and energy security. The framework aims to build resilient supply chains, particularly in strategically important sectors such as semiconductors, quantum technologies, critical minerals and other emerging technologies, while deepening industrial collaboration.

In the field of sustainable development, the two countries launched the India-Japan Biogas Initiative under India's GOBARdhan (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) programme. The initiative will facilitate the establishment of biogas plants across India, promote clean energy generation, strengthen rural livelihoods, improve waste management and contribute to climate goals through enhanced bilateral cooperation in the green economy.

The summit also reviewed progress in high-speed rail, digital transformation, trade, industrial collaboration, people-to-people exchanges, skill development and infrastructure projects. Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to deepen cooperation across sectors and maintain regular high-level engagement to address shared regional and global challenges.

The announcements made during Thursday's summit underscore the growing strategic importance of the India-Japan partnership as both countries seek to enhance cooperation in defence, technology, economic resilience and sustainable development amid an evolving geopolitical landscape.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar