Why in News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Japan for the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit (2025) with PM Shigeru Ishiba, where the two sides adopted a 2035 Vision Statement, raised Japanese investment targets in India to $68 billion, signed ~170 MoUs, updated their 2008 Security Partnership.
Introduction
- India and Japan share a special strategic and global partnership, built on civilisational ties, shared democratic values, and converging geopolitical interests.
- The 15th Annual Summit (Tokyo, 2025) reaffirmed the stability and depth of this partnership at a time of global turbulence — trade frictions, technological contestations, and security threats.
Key Outcomes of the 15th Annual Summit
Economic Cooperation
- Japanese businesses raised investment target in India to $68 billion, with ~170 MoUs signed.
- 2035 Vision Statement: 8 priority areas including mobility, green technology, and economic security.
- Collaboration on semiconductors and rare earths, reducing dependency on China.
- Progress on Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (Bullet Train) project; leaders visited Japanese facilities.
Security and Strategic Dialogue
- Upgraded 2008 Security Partnership to include annual NSA-level dialogue.
- Stronger convergence on Quad, Indo-Pacific cooperation, and UNSC reform.
- Joint condemnation of North Korea’s missile programme and cross-border terrorism (Pahalgam attack reference).
People-to-People and Connectivity
- “Next-Gen State-Prefecture Partnership” for grassroots engagement.
- Boosting direct flight connectivity.
Geopolitical Context and Subtext
- Global Trade Frictions: Summit took place after American tariff hikes that threaten India and Japan’s export markets.
- China Factor:
- India preparing for talks with Xi Jinping to normalise ties after four-year standoff.
- Japan concerned over East China Sea tensions and its own trade disputes with the U.S.
- Quad Dimension: Emphasis on upcoming Quad Summit despite uncertainties in U.S. politics.
- Message of Stability: Both leaders projected India–Japan ties as steady, forward-looking, and resilient amidst global churn.
Strategic Significance of India–Japan Ties
- Economic Security: Building resilient supply chains and semiconductor capacity counters Chinese dominance.
- Energy and Green Transition: Partnership in clean energy, mobility, and climate-friendly technologies.
- Defence & Security: Regular military exercises, naval cooperation, and shared Indo-Pacific vision.
- Global Governance: Common push for UNSC reform, rule-based order, and open sea lanes.
Conclusion
The renewed focus on economic security, technology, and Indo-Pacific cooperation underlines the long-term trajectory: a stable, next-generation partnership that balances geopolitics with grassroots connectivity.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper II:
- Bilateral, regional and global groupings involving India.
Mains Practice Question
Q. “India–Japan ties have been described as a pillar of stability in an uncertain Indo-Pacific.” Discuss in light of recent developments.