Why in news?
India and Japan held their fifteenth annual summit in Tokyo. The two leaders adopted a “Joint Vision for the Next Decade” to deepen their Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Background
India and Japan share close economic and security ties, cooperating in areas such as infrastructure, defence, technology and people‑to‑people exchanges. Regular summits set the direction of the partnership.
Key points
- Japan committed to invest about 10 trillion yen in India over ten years. Eight pillars of cooperation were identified: economic partnership, economic security, mobility and human resource exchange, innovation and digital, defence and security, environment and energy, multilateral cooperation and cultural exchange.
- Defence collaboration was strengthened through a joint declaration, logistics support under the Acquisition and Cross‑Servicing Agreement and plans to expand joint exercises such as Dharma Guardian and Shinyuu Maitri. The two sides will work on resilient supply chains for critical minerals.
- The India–Japan Digital Partnership 2.0 covers artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing and cyber security. Joint research and development projects and an AI cooperation initiative were announced.
- Mobility plans aim to facilitate two‑way movement of half a million people within five years, including 50,000 Indian workers to Japan. Joint efforts will promote tourism, student exchanges and city partnerships.
- Environmental cooperation includes a Joint Crediting Mechanism for low‑carbon technologies, collaboration on clean hydrogen, ammonia and renewable energy, and a Sustainable Fuel Initiative. A joint lunar exploration mission by ISRO and JAXA was highlighted.
Implications
- The summit reinforces India’s role in the Indo‑Pacific partnership and aligns with Japan’s Free and Open Indo‑Pacific vision.
- Large investment pledges and technology collaboration can spur growth in infrastructure, manufacturing and digital innovation in India.
- Cultural and people‑to‑people programmes will deepen mutual understanding and support for the partnership among citizens.