Modi, Takaichi unveil roadmap to deepen strategic, AI, semiconductor and energy cooperation….reports Asian Lite News Desk
India and Japan on Thursday signed their first agreement for the co-development of a defence project, marking a major milestone in bilateral strategic ties, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi unveiled a broad agenda to deepen cooperation in defence, artificial intelligence, economic security and clean energy.
Announcing the development after the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit at Hyderabad House, Prime Minister Modi said the agreement opened a new chapter in the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries.
“In the field of defence, today we signed an agreement on the first co-development project between India and Japan,” Modi said while addressing a joint press conference with Takaichi.
He said the convergence of Japan’s precision technology and India’s software capabilities would provide fresh momentum to the global development of artificial intelligence.
“The convergence of Japan’s precision technology and India’s software capabilities will give fresh momentum and strength to the global development of AI,” he said.
Welcoming Takaichi on her first official visit to India, Modi described the Japanese leader as his “younger sister” and said her visit marked the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations.
“Today, with Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit, we are beginning a new chapter in our Special Strategic and Global Partnership,” he said.
Modi also underlined Japan’s longstanding contribution to India’s economic transformation, saying Japanese investments had helped shape sectors ranging from automobiles to electronics while laying a strong foundation of friendship and trust.
Emphasising the strategic convergence between the two countries, Modi said India and Japan shared a common vision of a free, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
“As the region’s largest democracies and market economies, we have launched several important initiatives today. Together, we will create a strong foundation for stability and prosperity across the entire region,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the two sides had also adopted a joint roadmap on economic security to strengthen resilient supply chains in critical sectors, including semiconductors, quantum technology and advanced materials.
He added that India and Japan had taken important decisions to bolster energy security, including the launch of the India-Japan Biogas Initiative, which aims to establish 1,000 biogas and organic fertiliser plants across India.
According to Modi, the initiative will strengthen the Centre’s GobarDhan programme while promoting sustainability, rural prosperity and clean energy across the country.
