Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae (高市早苗)'s first visit to India confirmed stronger Japan-India cooperation in areas including defense and economic security. Cooperation across multiple fields, including the Shinkansen project, points to deeper ties ahead.
During Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae (高市早苗)'s first visit to India in July, defense cooperation and security were positioned as the first pillar of the relationship. The visit included an agreement on a framework to strengthen joint training between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Indian Navy, as well as the transfer of carrier-based aircraft technology. India welcomed Japan's review of its Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, marking a new phase in cooperation between the two countries.
In economic and energy security, the two countries announced cooperation to strengthen supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals and clean energy. Japan and India indicated that they would expand their cooperation framework toward achieving a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) by strengthening the economic ties between the two countries.
Japanese business activity in India is becoming increasingly diverse, with companies including UNIQLO, Seven & i Holdings and Nitori expanding their local operations. Following the investment target set during the Modi administration last summer, the summit reportedly made Japan's business activities in India more visible through memoranda and fact sheets, and investments totaling ¥2 trillion were decided over the past year.
Japan-India relations are also strengthening in infrastructure. Building on the success of the Delhi Metro, the Shinkansen project is reportedly expected to open partially in August 2027, with 80% of its approximately ¥1.8 trillion total construction cost financed through yen loans.