JOHANNESBURG, November 23, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, marking their first in-person meeting since their telephone conversation on October 29. The meeting reaffirmed the strength of the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and underscored both nations’ commitment to advancing cooperation built on shared values and mutual trust. The two leaders reiterated the importance of maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. They emphasized that collaboration between India and Japan remains essential to ensuring peace, stability, and economic growth across the region.
Both sides noted that the partnership, founded on longstanding cultural and civilizational ties, continues to evolve in response to global developments and shared priorities. During the discussion, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Takaichi reviewed progress since the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit and agreed on the need to accelerate the implementation of key initiatives. The leaders discussed a broad range of areas including defense and security cooperation, trade and investment, small and medium enterprise development, Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, and technology innovation. They acknowledged the growing significance of resilient supply chains and sustainable industrial development.
Both sides highlighted the role of advanced manufacturing and digital transformation in strengthening economic ties and agreed on the importance of enhancing connectivity and infrastructure development between the two nations. These initiatives aim to promote mutual economic growth and bolster regional economic security. Prime Minister Takaichi expressed Japan’s strong support for India’s upcoming AI Summit scheduled for February 2026. The two leaders recognized the event as an opportunity to promote collaboration in emerging technologies that can contribute to innovation, economic development, and knowledge exchange.
Defense, technology and trade drive new areas of engagement
Their discussions reflected the shared goal of deepening engagement in science and technology as drivers of inclusive and sustainable progress. People-to-people exchanges and educational partnerships were also noted as vital elements of the bilateral relationship. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fostering closer ties through cultural exchange, skills development, and research collaboration. The ongoing cooperation in these areas continues to strengthen the foundation of trust and understanding between the people of India and Japan. Regional and global developments featured in the meeting, with both leaders exchanging views on current international issues. They reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing global challenges and underlined their shared support for a rules-based international order.
India and Japan set tone for future strategic engagement
The discussions reflected the enduring alignment between New Delhi and Tokyo on key diplomatic and economic priorities within the G20 framework. Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Takaichi agreed to maintain regular contact and to meet again at an early opportunity. The discussions highlighted the steady advancement of India–Japan relations, grounded in strategic partnership and a shared vision for regional and global stability. The engagement in Johannesburg further consolidated the partnership as a central pillar of cooperation in Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific region. – By Content Syndication Services.