India, Japan sign landmark security declaration, set $67 billion investment target

India and Japan on Friday elevated their partnership by adopting a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation and unveiling a 10-year roadmap to deepen collaboration across eight key sectors, including defence, economic security, technology, health, and people-to-people ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a two-day visit to Japan, described the plan as a “new and golden chapter” in the Special Strategic and Global Partnership, underpinned by mutual trust and shared values.

“We believe that Japanese technology and Indian talent are a winning combination,” PM Modi said after holding talks with his counterpart, Shigeru Ishiba.

He added that the partnership would extend “from high-speed rail to ports, aviation, and shipbuilding under the Next Generation Mobility Partnership.”

The two leaders set a new target of 10 trillion yen (approximately $67 billion) in Japanese investment in India over the next decade, with special focus on connecting small and medium enterprises and startups. During the India-Japan Business Forum, PM Modi urged companies to “Make in India, Make for the world.”

The roadmap also highlights clean energy and technology cooperation. “Our Joint Credit Mechanism is a big win for energy. It shows that our green partnership is as strong as our economic partnership,” PM Modi said, announcing the launch of the Sustainable Fuel Initiative and Battery Supply Chain Partnership.

Digital innovation and critical technology were identified as priority areas. “Cooperation in the area of High Technology is a priority for both of us… Semiconductors and rare earth minerals shall remain at the top of our agendas,” Modi said, while also outlining initiatives under Digital Partnership 2.0 and AI cooperation.

The space sector also received a boost, with both sides welcoming a new agreement between ISRO and JAXA for collaboration in the Chandrayaan-5 mission. PM Modi further announced plans for a five-year human resource exchange involving 500,000 people, including 50,000 skilled Indian workers contributing to Japan’s economy.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri later described Japan as “one of India’s most valued and trusted friends” and stressed that the new declaration reflects a broad vision of security. “An important feature of this document is the broad concept of security it embodies, which includes cooperation on cybersecurity, counterterrorism, defence industry, research and development, and closer cooperation on security issues in multilateral groupings,” he said.

The joint statement, titled A partnership for security and prosperity for our next generation, reaffirms the two nations’ commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. Both leaders also underlined shared concerns about terrorism and cyber threats, with Japan reaffirming its support for India on the issue of cross-border terrorism.

Misri said the partnership now spans eight pillars: economic relations, economic security, mobility, technology and innovation, ecological sustainability, health, people-to-people exchanges, and state-prefecture cooperation. He noted that the $13 billion worth of MoUs signed during the business forum reflects growing confidence in bilateral ties.

“Together, we carry a common dream of peace, progress, and prosperity of our peoples, and for the world,” PM Modi said, underscoring the long-term vision of the India-Japan partnership.