India-Japan Strategic Partnership Strengthens Indo-Pacific Stability and Global Economic Growth

New Delhi:

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized on Wednesday that the India-Japan partnership strengthens strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific region while contributing to global economic growth.

During his address at the India-Japan Indo-Pacific Forum, organized jointly by the Delhi Policy Group and the Japan Institute of International Affairs, Jaishankar noted that maintaining a "free and open" Indo-Pacific has become both a stronger imperative and a more complex challenge.

"Our partnership, which has significantly deepened over recent decades, holds greater value now than ever before. It enhances strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific while contributing to economic stability globally," Jaishankar stated.

He highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent telephone conversation with newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi demonstrates the high priority both nations place on their bilateral relationship.

Looking toward the future, Jaishankar outlined key focus areas: "The India-Japan partnership must concentrate on leveraging our strengths, reinforcing supply chains, and investing in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, clean energy, and space."

As two prominent democracies and maritime nations, Jaishankar emphasized that India and Japan bear substantial responsibility toward the Indo-Pacific region. "The Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative, where Japan co-leads the maritime trade, transport, and connectivity pillar, offers significant potential for advancing our contributions," he said.

Jaishankar pointed to several innovative initiatives that reflect the evolving contemporary agenda between the two nations, including the Next Generation Mobility Partnership, Economic Security Initiative, Joint Crediting Mechanism, Joint Declaration on Clean Hydrogen and Ammonia, and a Memorandum of Understanding on mineral resources.

He also noted that people-to-people exchanges are expected to increase through the Action Plan for Human Resource Cooperation and Exchange, potentially fostering deeper societal understanding between the two nations.

"Collectively, these initiatives reaffirm the strategic and comprehensive nature of our bilateral ties," Jaishankar concluded.