Narendra Modi (L) with Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo, on August 29, 2025. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)
New Delhi: The prime minister, Narendra Modi, landed in Tokyo for a two-day visit to Japan for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit, on Friday. During the summit Modi and his Japanese counterpart, Shigeru Ishiba, unveiled an ambitious $68 billion investment roadmap, setting the stage for unprecedented cooperation across critical sectors.
Japan’s commitment of 10 trillion yen over the next decade represents a doubling of previous investment targets and signals Tokyo’s confidence in India’s economic trajectory amid shifting global trade dynamics.
Defence partnership
The summit marked a watershed moment in bilateral defence cooperation with the signing of the first joint declaration on security cooperation since 2008. The centrepiece is the co-development of the UNICORN (Unified Complex Radio Antenna) mast system for Indian naval platforms – India’s first military technology transfer agreement with Japan.
The advanced system, being developed jointly by Bharat Electronics Limited and Japanese partners, consolidates multiple antennas into a single composite structure, enhancing stealth capabilities while reducing radar signatures of naval vessels.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the arrangement between the two democracies, the foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, said, “This represents a significant evolution in our defence industrial partnership.”
We chalked out a roadmap for the coming years which will focus on sectors like investment, innovation, environment, technology, health, mobility, people-to-people exchanges and state-prefecture partnerships. pic.twitter.com/nADM4q4VTM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2025
Space collaboration
In a major scientific breakthrough, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and Japan’s space agency JAXA formally agreed to collaborate on Chandrayaan-5, India’s next lunar mission. The project, also known as the Lunar Polar Exploration mission, will launch in 2027-28 using Japan’s H3 rocket system.
The mission aims to explore water ice deposits in the Moon’s permanently shadowed polar regions, combining Japanese rover technology with Indian landing capabilities.
Modi described the partnership as transcending “the boundaries of the earth” and becoming “a symbol of mankind’s progress in space”.
The two leaders also launched the India-Japan Digital Partnership 2.0 and AI Cooperation Initiative, identifying semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space technology as priority collaboration areas.
Japan plans substantial investments in semiconductor manufacturing facilities in India, with both leaders scheduled to visit a semiconductor plant in Sendai to demonstrate practical implementation of technological cooperation.
Emphasizing on this, Modi said, “Japanese technology and Indian talent are a winning combination.”
E10 bullet trains
In a significant upgrade to existing plans, Japan agreed to deploy its latest E10 Shinkansen technology simultaneously in both countries. The decision replaces the previously planned E5 model for India’s Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor.
The E10 series, capable of speeds up to 400 kmph with earthquake-resistant design, represents the pinnacle of railway technology. Both prime ministers will travel by bullet train to Sendai, symbolically demonstrating Japan’s commitment to India’s infrastructure modernization.
Responding to global supply chain disruptions, the nations launched the India-Japan Economic Security Initiative targeting critical goods and emerging technologies. The framework encompasses telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, semiconductors and clean energy sectors.
A memorandum of cooperation on mineral resources was signed to expand business opportunities in critical materials, addressing both nations’ strategic resource requirements.
An ambitious Action Plan for India-Japan Human Resource Exchange targets movement of 500,000 people between both countries over five years, including 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled personnel from India to Japan.
The programme addresses Japan’s labour shortage due to its ageing population while providing opportunities for Indian professionals in technology and manufacturing sectors.
Business and environment
At the India-Japan Economic Forum, Modi highlighted India’s political stability, policy predictability and recent credit rating upgrades as factors boosting investor confidence. He identified five key collaboration areas: manufacturing, technology innovation, green energy transition, next-generation infrastructure and skill development.
Over 80% of Japanese companies operating in India express intentions to expand operations within the next two years, according to recent surveys.
The leaders signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Clean Hydrogen and Ammonia, establishing the Joint Crediting Mechanism to facilitate diffusion of decarbonizing technologies and contribute to India’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
Regional dynamics
The summit reinforced both nations’ commitment to a “free, open, peaceful and rules-based Indo-Pacific”, with leaders expressing shared concerns over terrorism, cybersecurity and maritime security challenges.
The partnership strengthens the Quad alliance framework, with India and Japan coordinating closely with the United States and Australia to maintain regional stability.
Modi’s Tokyo visit precedes his travel to Tianjin, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit at president Xi Jinping’s invitation. The diplomatic sequence underscores India’s balanced approach to regional engagement amid evolving global trade patterns, including recent US tariffs on Indian exports.
The strengthened India-Japan partnership provides alternative pathways for economic cooperation and technological advancement, reducing dependence on single markets while enhancing strategic autonomy.
Industry analysts view the comprehensive agreements as positioning the bilateral relationship as a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific stability and prosperity, with concrete deliverables across multiple sectors providing a clear roadmap for the next decade.
The summit outcomes reflect India’s growing global stature and Japan’s recognition of India as an indispensable partner in shaping Asia’s 21st-century narrative through democratic cooperation and shared values.
