Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday, 3 July 2025, concluded wide-ranging bilateral talks in New Delhi, signing a series of agreements spanning economic security, artificial intelligence (AI), defence technology, clean energy, healthcare, and maritime security. The pacts mark a significant deepening of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership at a time of heightened geopolitical and supply-chain uncertainty.

Economic Security and Supply Chain Resilience

The two leaders agreed on a joint roadmap for economic security aimed at addressing global uncertainties by building resilient supply chains in critical sectors. The roadmap specifically targets semiconductors, quantum technologies, and advanced materials — areas where both nations have identified strategic vulnerabilities.

'In today's era of uncertainty, both India and Japan fully understand the importance of economic and energy security,' Modi said at a joint press briefing, underscoring the need for trusted partnerships in critical technologies and manufacturing.

AI and Emerging Technology Partnership

India and Japan issued a joint statement on AI cooperation, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing collaboration in emerging technologies. Modi described the technology partnership as set to become 'the strongest pillar of bilateral ties.'

'The convergence of Japan's precision technology and India's software capabilities will impart new momentum and strength to global AI development,' he said. This positions the two countries as complementary poles in the global AI value chain — Japan contributing hardware precision, India contributing software scale.

First Joint Defence Co-Development Project

In a landmark development for defence ties, the two sides signed an agreement for their first-ever joint defence co-development project — the naval radio antenna system codenamed 'Unicorn'. Modi called it 'the beginning of a new chapter in defence technology collaboration.'

'We will now jointly develop defence technologies that strengthen regional peace, maritime security and the rules-based order,' he said. The Unicorn project signals a qualitative shift from defence trade to co-production, a transition India has pursued with select partners under its Atmanirbhar Bharat defence push. This is also consistent with Japan's own easing of restrictions on defence exports under its revised security policy.

Healthcare, Pharma and Biotech Cooperation

Agreements were also signed to expand cooperation in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biotechnology. Modi said India's manufacturing scale, combined with Japan's technological expertise and quality standards, could help deliver 'affordable, reliable and advanced healthcare solutions to people around the world' — a framing that also targets third-country markets in the Global South.

Context and What Comes Next

Takaichi arrived in India on 1 July for a three-day official visit at Modi's invitation, with the talks on 2 July forming the centrepiece. This is notably her first bilateral visit to India as Prime Minister, and the breadth of agreements signals an intent to accelerate a partnership that has historically moved cautiously.

This comes amid growing alignment between New Delhi and Tokyo on China-related concerns in the Indo-Pacific, where both nations are members of the Quad grouping. Detailed implementation frameworks for the signed agreements are expected to be worked out in the coming months through joint working groups.