15th India–Japan Annual Summit (2025)

General Studies Paper-2

Context: At the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit (2025), both nations adopted a “Joint Vision for the Next Decade” along with multiple agreements covering economic, security, technological, and cultural cooperation.

• Japan also announced an investment target of 10 trillion yen (₹5.5 lakh crore) in India over the next 10 years.

Key Outcomes of the Summit

• Joint Vision for the Next Decade: Framework across eight pillars: economic partnership, economic security, mobility, innovation, defence, environment, multilateral cooperation, and cultural exchanges.
• Security & Defence Cooperation: Adoption of a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, intensifying strategic ties.
  • Launch of economic security initiatives to safeguard supply chains, technology, and minerals.
  • Expanded defence exercises: Dharma Guardian (Army), Shinyuu Maitri (Air Force), JIMEX (Navy).
  • Logistics support under the Acquisition & Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) has been strengthened.
• Mobility & Human Resource Exchange:
  • Action Plan for Human Resource Exchange enables two-way mobility for 500,000 people in 5 years.
  • 50,000 Indian workers targeted for placement in Japan under the Next-Generation Mobility Partnership.
• Technology & Digital Cooperation:
  • Launch of India-Japan Digital Partnership 2.0, covering AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, and cybersecurity.
  • Joint R&D through India-Japan AI Initiative boosts tech innovation.
• Sustainability & Environment:
  • Cooperation under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)—aimed at low-carbon technology and clean energy adoption.
  • Sustainable Fuel Initiative promotes clean hydrogen and ammonia.
  • Collaboration on wastewater management and renewable energy deployment.
• Space & Minerals:
  • Joint Lunar Polar Exploration Mission brings together ISRO and JAXA for moon exploration.
  • MoU signed for critical mineral resource cooperation.
• Cultural & People-to-People Ties:
  • Programs boost cultural exchanges, tourism, and education.
  • City–prefecture level partnerships deepen subnational ties.

Significance of India–Japan Relations

• Strategic Convergence: The partnership addresses shared concerns about assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, aligning with the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy.
• Economic Ties: Japan is the 5th largest investor in India and key partner in infrastructure projects like the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor and Bullet Train.
  • Industrial Competitiveness Partnership builds resilient supply chains.
• Global Governance: Both countries advocate for UNSC reform, are Quad and G20 members, and support reformed multilateralism.
• Defence Cooperation: Regular joint exercises enhance interoperability, strengthening India’s Indo-Pacific role.

Way Forward

• Expand defence ties with maritime tech co-development.
• Upgrade CEPA to boost bilateral trade.
• Scale up hydrogen, ammonia, and renewable energy collaboration.
• Align skilling initiatives to match India’s workforce with Japan’s demographic needs.
• Promote resilient supply chains, digital infrastructure, and climate leadership in the Global South.
• This summit sharpens Indo-Japanese cooperation for regional stability, shared economic growth, and sustainable progress over the coming decade.