International Relations | GS II
International Relations - Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. At the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit (2026), India and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and adopted a comprehensive roadmap to deepen cooperation in defence, economic security, artificial intelligence, energy resilience, critical technologies and maritime security.
What makes India-Japan relations strategically important?
India and Japan upgraded their relationship to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014. It encompasses:
Political dialogue
- Defence and security
- Economic cooperation
- Infrastructure development
- Science & Technology
- Maritime cooperation
- People-to-people exchanges
Guided by the shared vision of a:
- Free, Open and Inclusive Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
- Rules-based international order (RBIO).
- Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and International law.
Both countries are members of Quad, G20, East Asia Summit, G4 (UNSC reforms), and Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) partner.
Major outcomes of the 16th Annual Summit Defence & Security
Signed the first India–Japan defence co-development agreement for Naval Radio Antenna (UNICORN) technology.
Agreed to expand:
- o Defence technology cooperation
- o Joint military exercises.
- o Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).
- o Defence industrial collaboration.
Reaffirmed commitment to maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Security
The two countries adopted a Joint Declaration on Economic Security covering cooperation in:
- Semiconductors
- Critical minerals
- Supply chain resilience
- Pharmaceuticals
- Clean energy
- Digital technologies
- Strategic manufacturing
The declaration aims to build resilient and trusted supply chains amid growing geopolitical uncertainties.
Artificial Intelligence India and Japan issued a Joint Statement on Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence.
Key areas include:
- AI research and development.
- Trusted, secure, human-centric and inclusive AI.
- Digital infrastructure.
- Talent development.
- Innovation across the AI technology stack.
The partnership builds upon the India–Japan AI Initiative and supports cooperation in emerging technologies.
Energy Cooperation
- Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in:
- Energy resilience.
- Clean energy technologies.
- Hydrogen.
- Critical minerals.
- Battery value chains.
- Diversification of energy supply
The discussions also reflected concerns over energy security arising from disruptions in West Asia.
Trade & Investment - Around 129 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Indian and Japanese companies in areas such as technology, AI and investment.
Japan reiterated its long-term commitment to expand investments in India and deepen manufacturing partnerships.
Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)
FOIP is Japan's strategic vision for ensuring a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific
based on:
- Freedom of navigation and overflight.
- Rule of law.
- Respect for sovereignty and territorialintegrity.
- Peaceful settlement of disputes.
- Connectivity and quality infrastructure.
- Free, open and rules-based maritime order.
- India supports these principles while emphasising an inclusive, ASEAN-centricIndo-Pacific through initiatives such as theIndo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).