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The Asahi Shimbun
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THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
July 3, 2026 at 14:35 JST
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, left, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prior to their summit in New Delhi on July 2. (AP)
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi isssued a joint statement on July 2 confirming cooperation in security, economic security and energy, and economic growth following their summit in New Delhi.
Takaichi’s visit marked her first to India since taking office in October.
As Japan promotes its diplomatic vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, it is seeking to deepen cooperation with India, one of its most important like-minded partners, while countering China’s growing influence.
At a joint news conference after their meeting, Takaichi said, “As partners who share the same strategic direction, Prime Minister Modi, my elder brother, and I will elevate Japan-India relations to new heights.”
Modi also emphasized that a free and rules-based Indo-Pacific is a shared priority for the two countries.
India is expected to continue its economic growth and expand its influence in the international community.
With an eye on China, which is increasingly wielding economic coercion, Japan is seeking closer cooperation with India to strengthen its autonomy in critical sectors such as semiconductors and critical minerals.
In the joint statement, the two countries expressed “serious concerns” over economic coercion, including export controls, as well as developments in the East China Sea and South China Sea.
The two leaders also emphasized the importance of building supply chains among like-minded nations.
The two countries agreed to promote talent development, technological cooperation and Japanese companies’ participation in India’s semiconductor industry.
They also pledged to enhance technical cooperation and information sharing in the exploration of critical minerals.
Under “Power Asia,” a Japan-led framework that provides financial support to secure crude oil supplies, the two countries will establish a bilateral dialogue aimed at strengthening India’s petroleum reserve system.
On security, they agreed to expand joint exercises in areas such as the Indian Ocean and to cooperate on naval vessel maintenance.
They will also promote collaboration on the joint development of defense equipment under India’s manufacturing promotion initiatives.
The leaders further agreed to hold a Japan–India “two-plus-two” meeting of foreign and defense ministers within the year.
ABOUT 150 JAPANESE FIRMS JOIN TAKAICHI’S INDIA VISIT
Representatives from about 150 Japanese companies accompanied Takaichi on her visit.
Japanese and Indian companies, as well as government-related organizations, concluded a total of 129 memoranda of understanding, including planned investments totaling about 2 trillion yen ($12.4 billion) in fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, in addition to the automotive and manufacturing sectors.
According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, 1,434 Japanese companies were conducting business in India as of October 2024, up by 35 from the previous year. The number has remained largely flat in recent years.
There are several obstacles to doing business in India, including the country’s complex tax system and regulations, labor-related issues such as strikes and wage negotiations, and differences in business practices.
To address these challenges, Japan’s Foreign Ministry established the Japan-India Economic Affairs Division in April to support Japanese companies seeking to enter the Indian market.
One reason India is attracting strong interest from Japanese businesses is its potential in cutting-edge fields, including emerging technologies.
Last year, the governments of Japan and India agreed on a 10 trillion yen target for private investment in India over the next decade.
During the latest summit, the two leaders reaffirmed cooperation in creating an environment conducive to innovation.
India also possesses a large pool of science and engineering talent.
In a separate joint statement on AI, the two governments confirmed a goal of bringing 500 Indian AI specialists to Japan by 2030 to promote joint research.
India reportedly churns out approximately 1.5 million engineering graduates every year, but many degree holders struggle to find stable employment.
For young people seeking opportunities to utilize their technical education, Japan, where labor shortages persist, is becoming an option.
“India is no longer a country to which Japan simply provides technology,” said a Japanese Foreign Ministry senior official. “Now, we must create mechanisms that ensure Japan is not left behind.”
(This article was written by Yuta Ogi and Akiko Suzuki, correspondent.)
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