India and Japan on Thursday expanded their strategic partnership by signing a series of agreements spanning artificial intelligence, defence, healthcare, critical minerals and clean technology, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing technology cooperation as the next major pillar of bilateral ties.
The agreements, announced after the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit in New Delhi, seek to deepen collaboration across emerging technologies, defence manufacturing and economic security. Leaders of both countries said the initiatives would also support regional stability and strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Addressing a joint press interaction after the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding, Prime Minister Modi said India and Japan were committed to combining their respective strengths in technology.
“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 the field of AI,” PM Modi said.
He said several institutions within India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem had signed agreements with Japanese partners.
“The convergence of Japan’s precision technology and India’s software capabilities will impart new momentum and strength to global AI development,” he added.
First India-Japan defence co-development project announced
The two countries also launched their first defence co-development initiative involving the Naval Radio Antenna “Unicorn”.
According to PM Modi, the project will open “a new chapter” in bilateral defence technology cooperation.
“We will now jointly develop defence technologies that strengthen regional peace, maritime security, and the rules-based order,” he said.
Healthcare, critical minerals and battery cooperation feature in new agreements
The leaders also announced cooperation in pharmaceuticals, medical devices and biotechnology.
PM Modi said India and Japan would combine India’s manufacturing scale with Japan’s quality standards to deliver affordable and advanced healthcare solutions globally.
Among the agreements signed was a memorandum between the Geological Survey of India and the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security on geology and mineral exploration.
The two sides also concluded cooperation agreements covering the pharmaceuticals and medical devices sectors, battery technologies, and initiatives related to biogas and organic fertiliser production.
Japan backs stronger Indo-Pacific cooperation
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said India and Japan, as two of the world’s largest economies, shared a common vision for a free, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
“Today, both India and Japan are among the world’s largest economies. A free, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific is our shared priority,” she said.
Referring to her meeting with PM Modi, Takaichi said the two leaders had agreed to deepen strategic cooperation. She said Japan and India were planning a joint exercise involving Japan’s forces and an Indian naval vessel and that the next India-Japan 2+2 dialogue would be held before the end of the year.
She also reiterated Japan’s support for India’s membership of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Earlier in the day, Takaichi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan before holding bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House.
The Japanese Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to India from July 1 to 3 at PM Modi’s invitation. The summit reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation as both countries continue to strengthen their Special Strategic and Global Partnership.