Modi Welcomes ‘Sister’ Takaichi as India and Japan Launch Their Inaugural Defense Co-Development Initiative and Strengthen AI Collaboration

On Thursday, July 2, India and Japan launched their inaugural defence co-development project, signifying a significant achievement in their bilateral security relationship. The announcement also included a comprehensive strategic partnership focused on areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, energy, and critical minerals.

This took place during the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during her first visit to India.

The summit coincided with anticipations of new investments from Japanese companies, estimated at nearly 2 trillion yen (around $12.5 billion) through approximately 120 cooperation agreements covering sectors like semiconductors, AI, clean energy, mobility, manufacturing, and infrastructure, as reported by MoneyControl.
Over 150 Japanese companies participated in the Japan-India Economic Forum held alongside the summit.

“We are turning a new page in our Special Strategic and Global Partnership,” Modi stated, describing India and Japan as “among the world’s largest economies” with a mutual dedication to “a free, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.”

Technology as a cornerstone of India-Japan collaboration

In addition to the landmark defence initiative, the two nations released a joint statement on AI, a joint declaration on economic security collaboration, signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on energy and pharmaceuticals, and committed to working together in the realms of critical minerals, batteries, and next-generation mobility.

They also agreed to enhance supply-chain resilience in semiconductors and advanced materials, sectors that are increasingly recognized as strategically significant amid global geopolitical tensions.

“The technology partnership will serve as the strongest pillar of our collaboration. To actualize this vision, we have also issued a joint statement regarding Artificial Intelligence today,” Modi remarked.

Additionally, he mentioned that the countries aimed to double the number of Japanese enterprises operating in India while targeting an investment of 10 trillion yen.

“The economies of India and Japan complement each other. From cultural values to modern technologies, there is a shared mindset in our thinking and approach. Most importantly, the foundation of our relationship is built on unshakeable mutual trust,” he stated.

Takaichi emphasized the need for both nations to leverage their strengths to grow “stronger and more prosperous together,” especially at a time when “international affairs are in disarray.”

“Our two nations share a vision for the international order we should establish under the current global circumstances,” she noted, adding that Japan’s revised Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy aligns perfectly with India’s MAHASAGAR initiative.

She concluded by mentioning that both leaders agreed to deepen strategic collaboration, with maritime security remaining a central element of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.