The recent India-Japan Foreign Ministers’ dialogue in New Delhi highlights the deepening of their “Special Strategic and Global Partnership.” External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi reaffirmed the ‘Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade’ unveiled during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan in August 2025.
This dialogue coincides with the 10th anniversary of Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy, emphasizing India’s role as a crucial partner. The ministers approved the launch of the “Japan-India Private-Sector Dialogue on Economic Security” in early 2026, focusing on key areas like semiconductors, critical minerals, ICT, clean energy, and pharmaceuticals.
In the field of artificial intelligence, the Japan-India AI Cooperation Initiative (JAI) gained momentum with the establishment of a dedicated “Japan-India AI Strategic Dialogue” to enhance practical collaborations. Both countries also recommitted to Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) mechanisms, aiming to uphold FOIP principles and strengthen coordination on regional security challenges.
The economic security initiatives aim to bolster FOIP’s prosperity pillar by promoting transparent supply chains and innovation ecosystems. The Act East Forum’s revival is set to bring Japanese technical and financial support for infrastructure projects in India’s Northeast, fostering connectivity with Southeast Asia and countering adversarial influences.
By emphasizing shared priorities in maritime security, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation, India and Japan envision an inclusive regional architecture that fosters cooperation with ASEAN nations and upholds principles of fair trade and freedom of navigation.
