India-Japan ties get strategic reset:1st defence co-development project, AI push ‘Namaste’ diplomacy define Takaichi’s visit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wrapped up her 3-day maiden visit to India on Friday, capping it with an ambitious roadmap to elevate bilateral ties beyond trade and diplomacy. At the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Takaichi unveiled 16 major agreements spanning artificial intelligence (AI), economic security, defence, clean energy, critical technologies and scientific research. The visit also saw the launch of the first India-Japan defence co-development project, a stronger joint stand against terrorism, and a renewed commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, signalling that the partnership is increasingly shaped by shared geopolitical and technological priorities. AI, semiconductors, and economic security emerge as top priorities A key outcome of the summit was the India-Japan Joint Declaration on Economic Security, aimed at making supply chains more resilient in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, critical minerals, AI, clean energy, pharmaceuticals and information technology. The two countries also upgraded their AI partnership through a dedicated joint statement, agreeing to collaborate across the entire AI ecosystem, from research and computing infrastructure to safe, trusted and human-centric AI development. Energy security featured prominently as well, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation on strategic petroleum reserves, crude oil stockpiling and maritime energy supply chains. The leaders also announced that 2027 will be celebrated as the India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations. First defence co-development project signals strategic shift Defence cooperation received its biggest boost yet with the signing of the first-ever India-Japan defence co-development project. The Naval Radio Antenna programme is expected to pave the way for broader collaboration in defence technology, maritime security and regional stability. Several other agreements were signed to strengthen cooperation in battery manufacturing, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals and sustainable agriculture, including an ambitious initiative to establish 1,000 biogas and organic fertiliser plants across India through the country’s dairy cooperative network. Joint push on AI, mobility, and scientific innovation The summit also accelerated collaboration in emerging technologies.
IndiaAI Mission and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) agreed to jointly support AI research, business partnerships and advanced computing projects. IIT Bombay, BharatGen Technology Foundation and Japan’s National Institute of Informatics will collaborate on next-generation large language models (LLMs), while SarvamAI and Japan’s Preferred Networks will jointly develop AI foundation models. The two countries also expanded cooperation in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, internet governance, and IPv6 adoption. Scientific partnerships between India’s C-CAMP and NCBS-TIFR with Japan’s RIKEN will drive joint research in healthcare, biotechnology, agriculture and environmental sciences, while the Next Generation Mobility Partnership will deepen collaboration across railways, automobiles, aviation, shipbuilding and logistics. United front against terrorism and support for UNSC reforms Beyond economic cooperation, India and Japan projected a strong strategic alignment on regional security. The two leaders unequivocally condemned cross-border terrorism, including the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and called for coordinated international action against terror financing, safe havens and proxy groups. They also reaffirmed support for expanding the United Nations Security Council, pledging to work with fellow G4 nations to push for reforms that better reflect today’s geopolitical realities. ‘Namaste’ becomes a diplomatic talking point Takaichi’s visit also sparked cultural interest in Japan after she and Prime Minister Modi greeted each other with folded hands. Japan’s Cabinet Public Relations Office highlighted the significance of the traditional Indian greeting ‘Namaste’, explaining that the accompanying Anjali Mudra symbolises respect, humility and gratitude. As Takaichi departed for Tokyo, the Ministry of External Affairs described the visit as a milestone that had strengthened the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, one increasingly driven by shared interests in technology, security and the evolving Indo-Pacific order.