New Delhi, 02 July (H.S.): India and Japan on Thursday agreed to significantly expand cooperation in the areas of economic security, energy resilience, artificial intelligence (AI), technology and innovation. The two countries reached consensus on 16 key outcomes, including a Joint Declaration on Economic Security, a Joint Statement on Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, and a Joint Statement on Energy Resilience.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, held the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Following the talks, the two leaders issued a joint statement, during which Prime Minister Modi affectionately referred to Prime Minister Takaichi as his younger sister.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the leaders held comprehensive discussions covering all aspects of the India-Japan relationship, including trade and investment, economic security, energy, emerging technologies, defence, and people-to-people exchanges. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest. The discussions resulted in substantial progress across key priorities of the bilateral partnership.
The MEA spokesperson said the two sides adopted three major documents: the Joint Declaration on Economic Security, the Joint Statement on Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, and the Joint Statement on Energy Resilience. The two Prime Ministers also witnessed the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements relating to economic security, clean energy, critical technologies, and research and development. Both countries also agreed on a calendar of activities to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Addressing the joint press statement after the summit, Prime Minister Modi said India aims to attract 10 trillion yen in Japanese investment over the next decade while also doubling the number of Japanese companies operating in the country.
Speaking at a media briefing after the summit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the two leaders reaffirmed the role of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership in ensuring peace, prosperity and stability across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
He said the summit produced several significant outcomes broadly grouped under three major pillars: economic security, energy resilience, and technology and innovation. The leaders reviewed the strong foundations of bilateral cooperation across trade and investment, defence, supply chain resilience, technology, innovation and people-to-people exchanges. They also reaffirmed the importance of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership in promoting peace, prosperity and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
According to the joint statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, both Prime Ministers reiterated their commitment, together with the other G4 countries, to pursuing urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), including expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories, reflecting contemporary geopolitical realities and the broad support of the UN membership.
The two leaders unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all their forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. They also strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
The Prime Ministers expressed serious concern over the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. They reiterated their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, as well as actions that threaten the freedom and safety of navigation and overflight.
Prime Minister Takaichi thanked Prime Minister Modi for the warm hospitality extended during her visit and invited him to Japan for the 17th India-Japan Annual Summit next year. Prime Minister Modi graciously accepted the invitation.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
