Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 2 described technology as the “strongest pillar” of India-Japan relations as India and Japan signed a series of agreements covering artificial intelligence, defence and healthcare during bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Speaking at a joint press briefing after the exchange of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Modi said both countries had agreed to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, expressing confidence that their complementary technological capabilities would contribute to global AI advancement.
“Prime Minister Takaichi and I believe that a technology partnership will become the strongest pillar of our cooperation,” Modi said. Referring to the joint statement on artificial intelligence, he noted that several institutions from India’s AI ecosystem had also entered into agreements with Japanese counterparts. He said the combination of Japan’s precision technology and India’s software expertise would provide fresh momentum to the development of artificial intelligence worldwide.
The leaders also announced the launch of the first India-Japan defence co-development project involving the Naval Radio Antenna “Unicorn”. Modi described the initiative as the beginning of a new phase in bilateral defence technology cooperation, adding that it would strengthen regional peace, maritime security and the rules-based international order.
Healthcare also featured prominently in the discussions, with both sides signing agreements covering pharmaceuticals, medical devices and biotechnology. Modi said the collaboration would strengthen global health security by combining India’s large-scale manufacturing capabilities with Japan’s technological excellence to deliver affordable, reliable and advanced healthcare solutions.
Prime Minister Takaichi is on a three-day official visit to India from July 1 to July 3 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.
India and Japan have steadily expanded their strategic engagement over the past two decades. Their relationship was elevated to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014 and has since broadened to include defence cooperation, economic security and critical technologies.
Artificial intelligence has emerged as a major area of collaboration in recent years. The two countries launched the Japan-India AI Cooperation Initiative in 2025, followed by the first India-Japan Strategic AI Dialogue held in Mumbai in April 2026. Their cooperation has also expanded across semiconductors, critical minerals, clean energy, pharmaceuticals and information and communication technology. Defence ties have similarly strengthened through regular high-level engagements, including the 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting and the signing of the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation in 2025.
