New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an Official Working Visit to Japan on August 29-30, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, marking the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit. The leaders reflected on rapid progress across their Special Strategic and Global Partnership, emphasizing civilizational ties, mutual trust, and shared interests. Over seventy dialogue mechanisms and working groups now connect ministries, agencies, and departments—from defense to culture—demonstrating the depth of engagement and collaboration between India and Japan.
Major Announcements and Priority Areas
Three flagship outcomes defined the summit:
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Joint Vision for the Next Decade:
The leaders adopted a blueprint steering bilateral cooperation across eight pillars: economy, economic security, mobility, environment, technology and innovation, health, people-to-people ties, and state-prefecture engagement. -
Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation:
Defense and security ties have been elevated to respond to contemporary regional challenges. Emphasis was placed on joint exercises, interoperability, and cooperation on critical security concerns, notably in the Indo-Pacific. -
Human Resource Exchange Action Plan:
A roadmap was announced for talent mobility between the two countries, with commitment to exchanges of over 500,000 personnel in five years—including 50,000 highly skilled Indians to Japan, boosting opportunities in technology, manufacturing, research, and managerial skills.
Economic Security, Investment and Innovation
India and Japan reaffirmed a bold new target: 10 trillion yen in private investment from Japan to India over the next decade. The summit featured the launch of the India-Japan Economic Security Initiative, expansion of the Digital Partnership (including AI cooperation and digital talent exchange), and intensification of work in critical sectors like clean energy, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and battery supply chains. Highlights included new Memoranda of Cooperation in mineral resources, clean hydrogen and ammonia, and digital technologies.
Defence, Maritime and Regional Security
The summit reflected deep satisfaction at expanding defence and maritime ties:
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Conduct of multilateral and bilateral exercises across all services
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Collaboration in defence equipment and technology
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Affirmation of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and strong opposition to unilateral actions in the East and South China Seas
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Condemnation of terrorism in all forms and support for regional stability
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Continued commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful resolutions in global hot spots
People-to-People Ties and State-Prefecture Partnerships
The leaders welcomed increased student, professional, and cultural exchanges, launch of Japan-India Startup Support, opening of the Indian Consulate in Fukuoka, and strengthening of regional linkages through state-prefecture partnerships. The summit also marked the 2025 “Year of Science, Technology and Innovation Exchange” and celebrated the growth in two-way tourism and the success of cross-cultural initiatives.
Conclusion
The 15th India-Japan Annual Summit established a focused and ambitious roadmap to deepen bilateral cooperation for security, prosperity, and innovation. With a long-term vision and actionable agreements, the partnership is poised to shape the future for both nations—and the region—for generations to come.
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Source: PIB
