Key facts
- India and Japan signed pacts on AI, critical metals and energy
- Deals followed Modi-Takaichi bilateral talks
- Critical metals pact targets supply chain resilience
- AI cooperation forms key pillar of the new agenda
India and Japan have formalised a new wave of bilateral cooperation, signing agreements on artificial intelligence, critical metals and energy following high-level talks between the two countries' leaders. The deals mark a tangible step forward in the two nations' strategic partnership, moving well beyond conventional trade diplomacy into areas that will define the next generation of technology competition globally.
The inclusion of critical metals in the pact is particularly significant. Securing reliable supply chains for rare earths and other materials essential for semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries and defence electronics has become a top geopolitical priority for democracies seeking to reduce dependence on China. Japan, a leader in materials processing technology, and India, which holds significant mineral reserves, are natural partners in this space.
The AI dimension of the agreement reflects both countries' ambitions to be consequential players in the global artificial intelligence race. Japan has been investing heavily in domestic AI capabilities and data infrastructure, while India's growing pool of engineering talent and digital economy make it an attractive partner for collaborative AI development.
The agreements were reached after talks between Modi and Takaichi, underscoring the political commitment at the highest level to transforming the India-Japan relationship into one that is anchored in cutting-edge technology as much as in historical goodwill. Analysts see the pacts as part of a broader alignment among democratic nations to build resilient, allied technology ecosystems.