JAPAN PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN INDIA’s DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tokyo on a 2-day visit to Japan (29-30 August 2025) for the 15th annual summit at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This foreign visit of PM Modi is very important. This will be PM Modi's eighth visit to Japan, while this will be his first summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

 

 

India and Japan have better relations than ever before. Japan is also a member of the Quad along with India. In the last two years, over 170 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed in various sectors.

 

 

During this visit, special attention was given to shaping the next phase of the special strategic and global partnership. Both countries have made steady and significant progress in the last eleven years. At the summit, Ishiba talked about investing 10 trillion yen (about Rs 6 lakh crore) in India in the next 10 years. This figure is a symbol of Japan's unwavering faith in India's economic development.

PM MODI ADDRESSED THE 15th INDIA-JAPAN ECONOMIC FORUM.

PM Modi addressed the 15th India-Japan Joint Economic Forum. He held a meeting with business leaders. Both sides signed several agreements to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including defense and technology. During this visit, the two Prime Ministers undertook an in-depth review of bilateral relations, took stock of progress made in various sectors, and discussed regional and global issues.

PM Modi said that we will try to give a new impetus to our cooperation, expand the scope and ambitions of our economic and investment relations, and advance cooperation in new and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors. He said that this visit will also be an opportunity to strengthen our civilizational bonds and cultural ties that connect our people.

INDIA AND JAPAN PRESENT A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK TO ENHANCE DEFENSE COOPERATION

India and Japan have presented a comprehensive framework to enhance their defense cooperation to deal with contemporary security challenges in view of Beijing's growing power display in the East and South China Sea. This new framework was announced after the summit between PM Modi and his Japanese counterpart, Shigeru Ishiba, in Tokyo. The talks focused on significantly expanding the "special strategic and global partnership" between the two countries.

AGREEMENT IN THE CRITICAL MINERALS SECTOR

It has also been decided to strengthen the supply chain of critical minerals between India and Japan. The Mineral Security Partnership will work in collaboration with the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the Quad Critical Minerals Initiatives. This will increase the supply of critical minerals. A letter of understanding has also been issued for this, which has been signed by the Ministry of Minerals of India and the Ministry of Economy, Commerce, and Industry of Japan. Both countries will also increase cooperation in a rare earth refining project operated by Toyota Tsusho in Andhra Pradesh, which will strengthen the supply chain of rare earth materials.

COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF SEMICONDUCTORS

 

Semiconductors were high on the agenda. Cooperation in the field of high technology is a priority for both countries. In this context, Digital Partnership 2.0 and AI Cooperation Initiative will be taken up. Japan's technology and India's talent are a winning combination. PM Modi, along with his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba, travelled to Sendai in the Japanese prefecture of Miyagi to visit a semiconductor plant.

TERRORISM AND CYBER SECURITY

Both countries have similar concerns regarding terrorism and cybersecurity. Defense and maritime security are common interests of both countries. It was decided in the meeting that mutual cooperation in the field of the defense industry and innovation will be further strengthened.

PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF MARITIME DISPUTES

Modi and Ishiba expressed serious concern over the militarization of disputed areas. They emphasized that maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

PM MODI WAS PRESENTED WITH A DARUMA DOLL

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with a as a gift. This is a traditional doll of Japan, Daruma doll during his two-day visit to Japan. The chief priest of Tokyo's famous Shorinzan temple gave him this doll which the people there consider to be like a god.

 

 

The Daruma doll has been an important part of Japanese tradition for hundreds of years and is considered a symbol of good luck. It is recognized by its round, red color and hollow shape. This has been gifted to PM Modi as a sign of improving the relations between the two countries. 

CHANDRAYAAN-5 TO BE LAUNCHED FROM JAPANESE SOIL

India and Japan signed an implementation arrangement for the Chandrayaan-5 mission, a joint exploration of the polar region of the Moon by the space agencies of the two countries. An implementation arrangement regarding the joint lunar polar exploration mission between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit here.

 

 

The Chandrayaan-5 mission aims to study lunar volatiles, including water, in the region around the permanently shadowed region (PSR) at the Moon's South Pole. The mission will be launched by JAXA on its H3-24L launch vehicle, carrying an ISRO-built lunar lander and a Japan-built lunar rover.

 

 

At a time when India is facing losses on the trade front due to US tariffs, PM Modi is actively working with Japan to promote Make in India and is also increasing regional security cooperation with Japan. Apart from this, the leaders of the two countries also discussed ways to increase cooperation in view of emerging opportunities and challenges.

 

 

Australia has also joined in, leading to uneasiness among US allies. While the Quad faces uncertainty, deeper trilateral cooperation provides a buffer against regional challenges, promoting stability and resilience through economic and security partnerships.