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India-Japan Partnership: Anchor for Stability in the Indo-Japan Pacific – Highlights from the 8th Indo-Japan Indo Pacific Forum

The enduring and strategic partnership between India and Japan took center stage once again at the 8th India-Japan Indo-Pacific Forum, a significant Track 1.5 Dialogue held in New Delhi on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. Co-hosted by the Delhi Policy Group and the Japan Institute of International Affairs, this high-level forum reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to a Free, Open, and Rules-based Indo-Pacific.

The day's discussions underscored the ever-increasing importance of the India-Japan relationship, which is now considered a vital pillar for regional peace and global economic resilience.

India-Japan Partnership: Anchor for Stability in the Indo-Pacific – Highlights from the 8th Forum
India-Japan Partnership: Anchor for Stability in the Indo-Pacific – Highlights from the 8th Forum

India’s Stand: EAM Jaishankar's Vision for Strategic Stability


India’s perspective was powerfully articulated by the External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr. S. Jaishankar, who delivered a comprehensive address highlighting the deepening synergy between the two Asian democracies.


Key Points from the EAM’s Address:


  • Enhancing Strategic Stability: Dr. Jaishankar's central message was that the India-Japan partnership, which has deepened significantly over the last few decades, possesses "greater value than ever before" and is critical to "enhance strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific" and contribute to global economic stability.

  • Larger Responsibility in the Indo-Pacific: The EAM emphasized that as two major democracies and maritime nations, India and Japan share a "larger responsibility" towards the Indo-Pacific. He noted that maintaining a free and open region is a "stronger imperative" but also a "more complex challenge."

    • Connecting Initiatives: He specifically highlighted the potential of the Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI), where Japan co-leads the Maritime Trade, Transport, and Connectivity pillar, to advance their shared contributions.

  • Deepening Cooperation Across Domains: The partnership, according to the Minister, is robustly responding to the changing global scenario, reflected in the expansion of cooperation across multiple domains. He pointed to several key initiatives that form the evolving contemporary agenda:

    • Next Generation Mobility Partnership

    • Economic Security Initiative

    • Joint Crediting Mechanism

    • Joint Declaration on Clean Hydrogen and Ammonia

    • MoU in the field of Mineral Resources


Future-Focused Bilateral Ambition


Dr. Jaishankar also provided metrics to assess the partnership's growing ambition, drawing attention to recent high-level engagements:

  • Joint Vision for the Next Decade: He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan in August 2025, which laid out a joint vision with eight priority pillars and an ambitious investment target of 10 trillion yen over the next ten years.

  • Elevated Security Ties: The Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation was highlighted as a notable move to raise the level of defence and security aspirations.

  • Focus on Emerging Technologies: Looking ahead, the EAM stressed that the partnership must concentrate on "leveraging our strengths, bolstering our supply chains and investing in Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, Critical Minerals, Clean Energy and Space."


Japan's Perspective: Crucial for FOIP


The Japanese side, represented by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kunimitsu Ayano, echoed the sentiment, stating that cooperation with India is crucial to realise Tokyo's vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).

State Minister Kunimitsu emphasized the need, amidst challenging international circumstances, for respect for "diversity," "inclusiveness," and "openness," and collaboration to build a world that respects the rule of law.


Strengthening People-to-People Connect


The importance of societal and cultural ties was not overlooked. Dr. Jaishankar underscored that people-to-people exchanges are expected to receive a major boost with the Action Plan for Human Resource Cooperation and Exchange. This initiative aims to foster a "deeper understanding at the societal level", a foundational element for the comprehensive strategic partnership.

The 8th India-Japan Indo-Pacific Forum served as a crucial platform to synchronize the strategic visions of both nations. The shared goals of promoting a stable, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, coupled with ambitious targets in critical and emerging technologies, clearly position the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership as an anchor of stability for the region and the world.


Article by Experience Japan

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