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India and Japan Strengthen Ties, Express Concerns Over China
Tokyo – Prime Ministers Narendra Modi of India and Shigeru Ishiba of Japan cemented a stronger partnership on Friday, agreeing to a significant boost in trade and cooperation over the next decade. The agreement highlights a $68 billion investment from Japan into India and a plan to dramatically increase personnel exchanges between the two nations to 500,000 within five years. This includes a significant influx of 50,000 skilled Indian workers and potential talent to Japan.
In a joint statement, the leaders emphasized the importance of their growing partnership and the need to build a “mutually complementary relationship” leveraging their respective strengths. They also expressed “serious concern” about Chinese military activities in the East and South China Seas.
A new Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation will “elevate our defense and security ties to the next level,” signaling a strengthened response to the current geopolitical landscape. This includes expanded joint drills between the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Indian Armed Forces, the first update to the agreement since 2008.
Both leaders affirmed their commitment to a “free and open international order based on the rule of law” and a “free, open, peaceful, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific.” They highlighted shared concerns about terrorism and cybersecurity, along with mutual interests in defense and maritime security. Increased cooperation in defense industry and innovation was also announced.
This strengthened partnership comes on the heels of increased tariffs imposed by the United States on Indian goods. While not directly addressed in the joint statement, the impact of these tariffs was reportedly discussed by the two prime ministers, further underscoring the rationale for closer India-Japan cooperation.
Following his visit to Japan, Modi is scheduled to attend a regional security summit in China this weekend, his first visit to the country in seven years. This meeting holds significance given the ongoing border disputes between India and China in the Himalayas.