New Delhi: Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, addressing the eighth India-Japan Indo-Pacific Forum on Wednesday, highlighted the partnership between India and Japan. Jaishankar said that this partnership will enhance strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific region and contribute to global economic growth. Jaishankar also posted a nearly 3-minute video on social media.
Jaishankar said, “As two major democracies and maritime nations, India and Japan have a great responsibility towards the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, in which Japan co-leads the maritime trade, transport and connectivity pillar, has the potential to further our contribution. Our partnership, which has deepened significantly over the past few decades, is more valuable than ever.”
Jaishankar pointed to several key initiatives that demonstrate the evolving nature of India-Japan relations. These include the Next Generation Mobility Partnership, the Economic Security Initiative, the Joint Credit Mechanism, the Joint Declaration on Clean Hydrogen and Ammonia, and the Memorandum of Understanding on Mineral Resources.
Jaishankar said, “Our bilateral relationship is adapting to the changing global landscape, and this is reflected in growing cooperation in various sectors. The recent talks between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Takaichi upon his assumption of office are a testimony to the priority we both attach to this. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Japan in August significantly underscored the joint vision for the next decade.”
The Foreign Minister said that the India-Japan partnership is based on trust and has strengthened over the past decade. Jaishankar also emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges, citing the Human Resources Cooperation and Exchange Action Plan. This initiative aims to develop deeper understanding between the two countries at the societal level.
The Foreign Minister also highlighted key areas of cooperation – AI, semiconductors, critical minerals, clean energy, and space. He said, “Looking forward, the India-Japan partnership should focus on leveraging our strengths, strengthening our supply chains, and investing in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, clean energy, and space.”
Jaishankar also mentioned his meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. He said, “At the recent East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, I had the privilege of meeting my new counterpart and old friend, Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, once again. We agreed that it is in our mutual interest to review this in more detail in person in the near future.”
