18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue

18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue

Why in News? 

Recently, the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi between India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, where both sides reaffirmed their special strategic and global partnership and discussed cooperation.

Key Outcomes of the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue

• Strategic & Global Partnership: At the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue, both sides reaffirmed their Special Strategic and Global Partnership, emphasising its growth since the 15th Annual Summit and its role in shaping global order and cooperation across economic, security and technological domains. This trajectory reflects shared priorities amid shifting geopolitical landscapes and reinforces long-term bilateral strategic alignment.

• Launch of Dedicated AI Dialogue: A major outcome was the launch of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Dialogue to deepen cooperation in one of the fastest-growing tech sectors. This structured platform aims to enhance joint research, policy coordination, innovation and ethical AI governance, strengthening bilateral ties in critical future technologies. 

• Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals: India and Japan agreed to convene a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Critical Minerals under their economic security initiative. The JWG will focus on rare earth elements and other essential minerals that are vital for high-tech industries, energy transition, defence systems, and resilient supply chains, addressing global resource competition and supply vulnerabilities.
• Private Sector Engagement: Under the Economic Security Initiative, both countries decided to enhance economic security dialogues, including a private-sector dialogue to boost public-private cooperation. The second round of the Economic Security Dialogue — led by senior officials — is planned for early 2026 to further policy alignment on supply chains, investment, and technological resilience.
• Supply Chain Resilience & Strategic Resources: The Dialogue saw a strong commitment to resilient supply chains, with discussions on diversifying sources for strategic inputs and strengthening cooperation in sectors critical for economic and security interests. Both ministers pledged to tackle global supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Unified Complex Radio Antennae (UNICORN): During the meeting, both countries discussed the transfer of Unified Complex Radio Antennae (UNICORN) technology for the Indian Navy, emphasizing defense and flagship partnership.
• Defence & Maritime Security Collaboration: The Dialogue included review of ongoing and prospective defence cooperation projects. Both sides emphasized strengthening maritime security, reflecting shared interests in a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and cooperation in regional security frameworks.
• People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges: Participants underscored the importance of people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties as key pillars of bilateral relations. Enhanced engagement in educational, cultural, and societal sectors was highlighted to reinforce mutual understanding and long-term partnership beyond official state interactions.
• Engagement on Regional and Global Issues: The Dialogue featured an exchange of views on regional developments in South Asia, West Asia, Africa and the Indo-Pacific, with both ministers agreeing to coordinate positions in multilateral fora. This reflects a shared commitment to responsible global governance, aligning positions on issues such as WTO cooperation and broader geopolitical challenges.

India–Japan Partnership

• Strategic Partnership: The India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership is rooted in mutual trust, shared values, and democratic norms. It prioritises a free, open, peaceful and rules-based Indo-Pacific region, aligning both nations on regional security, counter-terrorism, and cyber challenges.
• Defence and Security Cooperation: India and Japan have deepened defence cooperation through regular joint exercises like Malabar, Milan and Dharma Guardian, enhanced naval interoperability, and structured defence dialogues. They signed key pacts, including the Information Protection Agreement and Reciprocal Supply & Services Agreement, facilitating logistics support and interoperability. 
• Economic and Trade Ties: Bilateral trade reached approximately $22.8 billion (2023-24), with India exporting chemicals and seafood, and importing machinery and reactors. Japan is among India’s top FDI sources, with $43.2 billion cumulative investment supporting 1,400+ Japanese companies in India. Major focus areas include semiconductors and expanding CEPA implementation to strengthen economic linkages.
• Next-Generation Economic Partnership: The Joint Vision for the Next Decade outlines a holistic roadmap for economic cooperation in areas such as investment (target JPY 10 trillion), trade diversification, industrial competitiveness (IJICP), SME cooperation, ICT, food security and payment systems collaboration, reinforcing private sector engagement and economic security frameworks.
• Infrastructure and Mobility Cooperation: Japan has been India’s largest Official Development Assistance (ODA) provider, exemplified by the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project using Japanese technology and financing. The partnership is expanding to mobility sectors including next-generation rail, metro transit and sustainable urban infrastructure initiatives under mutual industrialisation goals.
• Technology and Innovation Collaboration: India and Japan engage in emerging technology cooperation, including AI, digital innovation, cybersecurity, semiconductors, and robotics. Initiatives like the India–Japan AI Dialogue and collaborative research frameworks accelerate joint R&D, innovation hubs, and industry partnerships.
• Space and Scientific Cooperation: The partnership extends to space cooperation through joint missions, data sharing and technology exchanges between ISRO and JAXA. Both countries embrace collaboration in space research, earth observation, and exploration programmes to leverage scientific expertise for mutual benefit.
• Energy and Environmental Initiatives: India–Japan cooperation includes clean energy, climate action, and sustainability dialogues. Agreements like the Joint Crediting Mechanism promote decarbonising technologies and urban environmental solutions such as wastewater management. 
• Maritime Cooperation: Both nations deepen maritime security collaboration to safeguard regional sea lanes and uphold international maritime norms. Engagements under the Quad framework and joint naval exercises strengthen naval interoperability, coastal security architecture.
• Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: The partnership emphasises cultural diplomacy, academic exchanges and tourism. Sister City agreements, such as Ahmedabad-Hamamatsu, foster civic cooperation in culture, education, sports, urban planning and heritage exchange. 
• Human Resource Mobility and Skill Exchanges: Under the Joint Vision, India and Japan plan large-scale human resource exchanges — targeting movement of 500,000 people over five years — promoting skilled labour mobility, talent development and cross-cultural engagements to address demographic and workforce needs.