New Delhi: India and Japan are set to deepen their strategic partnership with a landmark Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation, expected to be unveiled during Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in New Delhi.
The proposed declaration is expected to place economic security at the centre of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, covering key sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), resilient supply chains, clean energy, critical technologies and strategic minerals.
Economic security takes centre stage
According to diplomatic sources, the Joint Declaration is likely to be the flagship outcome of Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit to India.
The agreement comes at a time when global supply chains face increasing disruptions amid strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region. Both countries are seeking to strengthen cooperation by combining economic resilience with national security objectives.
The declaration is expected to reinforce collaboration in emerging technologies while reducing dependence on vulnerable global supply chains.
Focus on AI, semiconductors and clean energy
Artificial intelligence will receive special attention, with both countries expected to issue a separate joint statement on AI cooperation.
The partnership is likely to include collaboration in research and development, industrial applications, digital public infrastructure, skill development and the responsible governance of AI technologies.
Other priority sectors include semiconductors, advanced battery technologies, pharmaceuticals, biogas, oil and gas production, and advanced manufacturing.
As part of clean energy cooperation, Japan is expected to support the establishment of a major green ammonia plant in India. The proposed facility is aimed at helping decarbonise the shipping and fertiliser sectors while strengthening India’s long-term energy security.
Strategic minerals and resilient supply chains
Strategic minerals are expected to be another major area of cooperation.
India and Japan have been working together to diversify supply chains for minerals essential for electric vehicles, batteries and renewable energy technologies.
Officials expect several agreements covering exploration, processing and supply chain resilience to be announced during the summit.
Mobility and defence cooperation
The leaders are also expected to review progress under the Next Generation Mobility Partnership, which focuses on electric mobility, hydrogen-powered transport and intelligent mobility systems.
Defence and maritime security will remain important pillars of bilateral cooperation, with discussions likely to include defence equipment and technology transfer, the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision, and the MAHASAGAR (Maritime Heads for Active Security And Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
Around 120 business agreements expected
On the commercial front, nearly 120 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed between Indian and Japanese companies.
The agreements will span manufacturing, infrastructure, clean energy and innovation sectors, further expanding economic ties between the two countries.
The proposed investments build upon Japan’s earlier commitment of JPY 10 trillion (approximately $67 billion) announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Tokyo in August 2025.
Strong economic partnership
Japan has remained one of India’s most significant development partners for decades.
Since 1958, Japan has committed assistance worth more than JPY 8.5 trillion for metro rail systems, freight corridors, highways and urban infrastructure projects, with nearly 100 projects currently underway across India.
Bilateral trade between India and Japan stood at $27.47 billion in 2025-26, while cumulative Japanese investment in India has reached nearly $45 billion, making Japan India’s fifth-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI).
More than 1,400 Japanese companies currently operate in India through approximately 5,200 establishments, with manufacturing accounting for nearly half of these operations.
Looking towards the future
Beyond trade and infrastructure, the two countries are expected to launch new joint research initiatives in pharmaceuticals, advanced healthcare technologies, quantum technologies and advanced materials.
The summit is also expected to strengthen people-to-people ties through greater collaboration between universities and regional institutions ahead of the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations in 2027.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who arrived in New Delhi on July 1, is scheduled to receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan before holding delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House, followed by a press interaction and a business dialogue.
The proposed Joint Declaration is expected to mark a significant milestone in India-Japan relations by placing economic security alongside defence and strategic cooperation as a central pillar of the bilateral partnership.