Japan-India Partnership Gains New Momentum in Security and Technology
Bilateral relations deepen as both nations strengthen cooperation in security, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
Japan and India are entering a new phase in their long-standing partnership, with strengthened security cooperation and expanded collaboration in technology and innovation. The relationship, described as a "Special Strategic and Global Partnership," is now being reinforced by shared strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific and growing cultural and economic exchanges.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan in August 2025, then Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba highlighted the progress in bilateral ties over the past decade, emphasizing the need for coordinated action to ensure a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. Both leaders reaffirmed commitments to bolster investment, manufacturing, and technological collaboration.
Further strengthening the partnership, Modi met current Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in December 2025 to advance joint initiatives under the Action Plan for Japan-India Human Resource Exchange and Cooperation. The plan aims for a two-way exchange of 500,000 people over the next five years, promoting educational, cultural, and professional interactions.
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Economic engagement between the two nations is also expanding. Bilateral trade increased from $21 billion in 2023-24 to $25.17 billion in 2026, while Japan remains a leading source of foreign direct investment in India, contributing $43 billion over the past 25 years. Initiatives like the Japan Travel Fair 2026 aim to enhance tourism and cultural understanding.
Symbolic gestures, such as gifting India’s national cricket team jersey to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar by Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, underscore the growing people-to-people connection. Officials noted that cricket, a sport central to Indian culture, is emerging as a unique bridge between the two nations.
Experts suggest that Japan-India relations are evolving beyond traditional diplomacy into a comprehensive partnership. Anchored in shared democratic values, technological innovation, and robust security collaboration, the bilateral relationship is poised to play a key role in shaping stability and growth in the Indo-Pacific region.
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