Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan warmly welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Japan for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit, emphasising the importance of strengthening bilateral relations across various fields. Ishiba praised the synergy between Japan's advanced technology and India's talent, highlighting the significant economic cooperation that has emerged, including Japanese companies playing a key role in India's "Make in India" initiative.

He also pointed out ongoing collaboration in strategic sectors like Artificial Intelligence, space exploration, and clean energy, underscoring the mutual commitment to further investment, robust supply chains, and economic security in a changing global landscape.

During the summit, both Prime Ministers reviewed the wide-ranging Special Strategic and Global Partnership covering defence, security, trade, technology, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges. Modi and Ishiba laid the foundation for a comprehensive roadmap for the next decade, aiming to deepen cooperation with a focus on investment, innovation, economic security, and ecological sustainability. 

Key announcements included Japan's commitment to investing 10 trillion yen in India over the next ten years, enhanced collaboration in semiconductors, biofuels, green energy, and digital technologies, and an ambitious five-year human resource exchange plan involving the movement of 500,000 people between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s rapid economic growth and stable political environment, reinforcing India's position as a trusted destination for Japanese investments. Modi also welcomed the partnerships formed at the India-Japan Economic Forum, asserting that the fusion of Japanese technological prowess and Indian talent can propel a tech revolution.

Both leaders underscored the strategic importance of their partnership in maintaining regional and global peace and security, especially within the Indo-Pacific context.

Moreover, joint initiatives such as India's Chandrayaan-5 lunar mission collaboration with Japan and new frameworks for defence and security cooperation were announced, further testament to the multi-dimensional and evolving nature of India-Japan relations.

The visit reaffirmed the close friendship and strategic alignment between the two nations, setting them on a path toward expanded economic ties, technological collaboration, and strengthened geopolitical cooperation for years to come.

Agencies