Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday held summit level talks with his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi focusing on expanding economic ties, enhancing resilient supply chains for semiconductors and boosting cooperation in critical technologies, news agency PTI reported.
Following the talks, PM Modi addressed the gathering, where he underlined the joint efforts by India and Japan to prepare a roadmap for economic security cooperation.
The two countries also signed a pact on co-development in the defence sector, PM Modi announced. They also signed pacts to boost their cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), metals, and energy.
Modi calls Takaichi his ‘younger sister’
Extending a warm welcome to Takaichi, who is on her first visit to India, for the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, Modi expressed his admiration for his counterpart, calling her a “foresighted and a popular leader.”
Referring to her as his “younger sister,” Modi also hailed her belongingness to Nara prefecture in Japan, with which, he claimed “India has Buddhists linkages.”
‘Mutual trust’ between India and Japan
Reflecting on the dynamic geopolitical landscape and shifting global alliances, Modi reemphasised that the deep-rooted relationship between New Delhi and Tokyo continues to be resilient.
“Just a few days ago, at the G7 Summit, I had said, that in today’s atmosphere of global upheaval, mutual trust is our greatest strategic asset. And I am proud that the India-Japan partnership stands fully tested on this touchstone,” he told the reporters.
Modi also acknowledged Japan’s exceptional contributions to India’s domestic infrastructure and industrial modernisation over the past decades.
“Japan has played an important role in India’s growth story. Today, through PMs visit, we are starting a new chapter in our global strategic partnership. Today, both are part of the five largest economy in the world… As the largest democratic region, we have taken several important initiatives. We will lead the way to peace and stability,” he said.
Modi also announced that Japan will invest 10 trillion yen in India over the next 10 years and that the number of Japanese companies operating in the country will double.
Pacts signed
Tech and AI: Addressing the press briefing, PM Modi stated that India and Japan have signed key agreements for cooperation in AI, as he recognised their partnership in the field of technology as the “strongest pillar” of their cooperation.
“Prime Minister Takaichi and I believe that a technology partnership will become the strongest pillar of our cooperation. To realise this vision, we have also issued a joint statement today regarding the field of AI. Several key institutions within the Indian AI ecosystem have also signed agreements with their Japanese partners today,” he announced.
Highlighting the pact, Modi said, “The convergence of Japan’s precision technology and India’s software capabilities will give a new momentum and strength to global AI development.”
Defence: Further, Modi said that the first co-development project between India and Japan will help develop defence technologies, and strengthen “maritime security and regional peace.”
Elaborating on the project, the PM said, “This project–involving the Naval Radio Antenna ‘Unicorn’ will open a new chapter in our defence technology partnership.”
Health: The prime minister also affirmed that their partnership in the field of healthcare, through the agreements, will contribute to “global health security.”
“Through the agreements signed today in the fields of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biotechnology, we will also contribute to global health security. By combining India’s scale with Japan’s quality, we will work towards delivering affordable, reliable, and advanced health solutions to the world,” PM Modi stated in his speech.
Other initiatives: “Through the India-Japan bio-gas Initiative, we will set up 1,000 bio-gas and organic fertilizer plants in India,” Modi added.
(- with inputs from PTI, ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi positioned economic and energy security as the defining pillars of the next phase of bilateral ties between the two countries. (Express Photo by Renuka Puri) 
Share
