India and Japan have moved to deepen their strategic partnership, with cooperation in artificial intelligence, energy security, defence and critical technologies emerging as key priorities at the 16th India Japan Annual Summit held in New Delhi in July 2026.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced a series of agreements aimed at strengthening economic security and building more resilient supply chains.
Stronger Economic Partnership
The two countries adopted a Joint Declaration on Economic Security covering sectors including semiconductors, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, clean energy and pharmaceuticals. The agreements are aimed at reducing supply chain risks and expanding investment and technological cooperation between the two economies.
Japan also reaffirmed its role as a major investment partner for India. The two sides are seeking to expand business cooperation while promoting technology driven growth and greater industrial resilience.
AI Becomes a Major Focus
Artificial intelligence emerged as one of the most important areas of the partnership. India and Japan issued a joint statement on AI, creating a framework for cooperation across research, technology development and access to computing resources.
Modi highlighted the strength of combining Japan’s precision technology with India’s software capabilities, describing technology cooperation as a major pillar of the relationship.
Defence and Indo Pacific Cooperation
The summit also strengthened defence and maritime cooperation, with both countries seeking closer collaboration in defence technology and regional security. India and Japan reiterated their commitment to a free, open and rules based Indo Pacific.
The summit reflects a broader effort by New Delhi and Tokyo to build a more resilient partnership amid changing geopolitical and economic conditions. With technology, energy and security at its core, the relationship is entering a new phase of strategic cooperation.