PM Modi, Ishiba Pledge Stronger Defence And Innovation Ties For Secure Indo-Pacific

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reaffirmed India and Japan’s commitment to a free, open, peaceful, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. He announced that both countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the defence industry and innovation.

Speaking at a joint press meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba after the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit, PM Modi said, “India and Japan are fully committed to a free, open, peaceful, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. We have common concerns about terrorism and cybersecurity. Our shared interests are linked to Defence and Maritime Security. We have decided to further strengthen cooperation in the field of defence industry and innovation.”

Earlier, in an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun, PM Modi highlighted defence collaboration as a success story between the two nations. He said both countries share a deep interest in peace, security, and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

Defence Collaboration Deepens

The Prime Minister stressed that the partnership spans all three services. He noted that India and Japan conduct regular bilateral and multilateral exercises.

Both nations are building strong Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation and working on co-development and co-production of UNICORN masts for the Navy.

He underlined that Indian defence products are expanding their global footprint. He added that Japan’s proven record in defence technology creates complementarities that allow both countries to design and produce next-generation defence platforms.

PM Modi confirmed that the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation will further modernise military collaboration and strengthen India-Japan defence cooperation for regional stability.

Expanding cooperation beyond defence

PM Modi called his discussions with Ishiba ‘productive and purposeful’. He said the partnership between India and Japan is vital not only for the two nations but also for global peace and stability.

The Prime Minister also announced a human resource exchange plan under which five lakh people will move between both countries in the next five years, including 50,000 skilled Indians contributing to Japan’s economy.

He emphasised that cooperation will now extend beyond Delhi and Tokyo, with Indian states and Japanese prefectures deepening ties in trade, tourism, education, and culture.

PM Modi further announced progress under the Next Generation Mobility Partnership, covering ports, aviation, and shipbuilding. He termed the India-Japan joint credit mechanism a ‘big win’ for energy and launched the Sustainable Fuels Initiative and Battery Supply Chain Partnership.