Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday, 2 July jointly expressed serious concerns over the deteriorating situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, following a bilateral summit in New Delhi. A comprehensive Joint Statement released after the meeting outlined the two leaders' shared positions on a range of pressing regional and global security issues.

South and East China Sea: A Shared Stand

Both leaders reiterated their strong opposition to any unilateral actions that endanger the safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as attempts to alter the status quo by force or coercion. The Joint Statement noted that the two Prime Ministers 'shared their serious concerns over the growing militarisation of disputed features.'

They reaffirmed that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law, specifically as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The statement marks one of the clearest joint articulations by India and Japan on contested maritime territories in recent years — a signal directed squarely at China, though Beijing was not named explicitly.

North Korea: Denuclearisation and Sanctions

Both leaders shared serious concern over North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. They stressed the importance of addressing the continued proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies to and from North Korea.

Modi and Takaichi also urged all UN Member States to abide by their international obligations under UNSC resolutions, including the prohibition on the transfer to North Korea or procurement from North Korea of all arms and related material. They additionally reconfirmed the necessity of an immediate resolution of the abductions issue — a longstanding Japanese diplomatic priority involving citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.

Myanmar, Middle East, and the Strait of Hormuz

The two Prime Ministers expressed concern over the ongoing situation in Myanmar and its regional impact, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the creation of conditions for inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders, aimed at a Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned peaceful and durable solution.

On the Middle East, both leaders reiterated their commitment to sustainable peace and stability. Regarding Iran, they stressed the importance of securing free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining stable supply chains for energy and essential goods, and upholding international law including UNCLOS. They also stressed the imperative of advancing a comprehensive plan to rebuild Gaza and reaffirmed their commitment to a two-State solution, calling for continued diplomatic efforts to restore stability.

Ukraine and the Path to Lasting Peace

Modi and Takaichi expressed support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. They welcomed ongoing diplomatic efforts by various countries toward that end — a position that aligns both nations with the broader international consensus without endorsing any specific peace framework.

The breadth of the Joint Statement signals a deepening strategic convergence between India and Japan across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, as both nations navigate an increasingly complex global security environment.