Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi discussed the importance of further strengthening the India-Japan partnership based on “shared values and principles” during their meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.
Strategic Dialogue
During their 15th strategic dialogue on Thursday, both ministers emphasised the importance of achieving the target of 5 trillion-yen-worth of Japanese investments in India by 2027.
In addition, they explored potential areas of collaboration in “critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors; resilient supply chains; and digital public infrastructure.”
EAM Jaishankar, Japan FM at India Japan Forum earlier today in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/zScEeCt22O
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 28, 2023
Both sides also expressed satisfaction at the “strengthening defence and security cooperation, including regular exercises and staff talks between all three services.” They discussed ways to deepen their defence equipment and technology cooperation.
In the context of regional security, the diplomats emphasised “the crucial role of strong and enduring partnership” between their countries in “ensuring a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region that is inclusive and rules-based.”
Along similar lines, they further discussed “cooperation under multilateral and plurilateral frameworks,” such as the Quad partnership they share with the US and Australia. Additionally, the minsters exchanged views on their respective G20 and G7 presidencies.
A press release by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that the dialogue helped reaffirm both sides’ commitment “to strengthen their Special Strategic and Global Partnership” and “further deepened bilateral cooperation and set the stage for enhanced collaboration on regional and global issues.”
Japan is a natural partner in modernization of India, Says EAM Jaishankar https://t.co/AAREe6VgnB
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 28, 2023
Jaishankar’s Comments
Speaking at the India-Japan Forum on Friday, Jaishankar said that Japan is an “exemplary moderniser” for India.
“Japan is a natural partnership in this modernising India [...] I think Japan has truly unleashed a number of revolutions in India,” the EAM said, outlining the Maruti-Suzuki partnership, the Delhi Metro, and the upcoming Mumbai- Ahmedabad high-speed rail as three such revolutions.
He further noted that “the fourth revolution… on the horizon is emerging in critical technologies and the semiconductor sphere.” “I believe that there is a huge potential for us to work on,” he said.
“If put cumulatively, Japan’s had a very powerful impact on manufacturing in India, on our urbanization process, on the organization of logistics in this country,” he remarked.