India, Japan reaffirm ‘natural partnership’ during Japanese FM Motegi’s meeting with PM Modi

Visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, underlining the growing strategic convergence between India and Japan. The courtesy call, which lasted around 50 minutes, focused on expanding bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed the two countries’ shared commitment to democratic values, regional stability and a rules-based international order, according to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

India, Japan call each other ‘natural partners’

"At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Motegi stated that Japan and India are 'natural partners' that share fundamental values and strategic interests, and that he hopes to work together to realise a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' based on their strong bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Minister Motegi's visit to India and stated that he hopes to deepen cooperation based on the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership," read a statement issued by Tokyo.

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The two sides also agreed to boost bilateral exchanges in 2027, when India and Japan will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Talks span security, economy and innovation

"With the 'Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade' announced during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Japan in August last year in mind, the two leaders held a frank exchange of views on a wide range of areas, including security, including economic security; the economy, investment, and innovation, including AI; and people-to-people exchanges, and agreed to elevate Japan-India relations to even greater heights," the Japanese MFA stated further.

The discussions highlighted a shared focus on economic resilience, emerging technologies and strengthening people-centric cooperation amid an uncertain global environment.

Motegi’s visit also saw him co-chair the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The dialogue reviewed cooperation across economic ties, maritime security, supply chains, critical minerals, technology, people-to-people exchanges and multilateral platforms.

"Pleased to co-chair the 18th India - Japan Strategic Dialogue alongside FM Toshimitsu Motegi in New Delhi today. Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership is on an upward trajectory and holds immense potential for shaping the world order and de-risking the international economy," EAM Jaishankar posted on X.

"Today's discussions on deeper economic, maritime, supply chain, critical mineral, technology, P2P and multilateral cooperation were reflective of our shared interests and mutual understanding. Also had a useful exchange of perspectives on Indo-Pacific and regional and global developments," he added.

Earlier, Jaishankar welcomed Motegi to India, sharing a lighter moment that underscored the growing people-to-people dimension of the partnership.

"Delighted to welcome FM Toshimitsu Motegi of Japan to India. As we hold the India-Japan strategic talks today, even more pleased to find a fellow cricket enthusiast in FM Motegi. In the spirit of our shared passion for the sport, honoured to receive a Japan national cricket team jersey. Also gifted him a bat signed by the Indian cricket team," he posted on X.

Priority partnership in global forums

In his opening remarks at the Strategic Dialogue, Jaishankar underlined India’s strong commitment to working closely with Japan across major international platforms.

"Let me today, as I welcome you, underline that India attaches very great priority to its friendship with Japan, and over the last two decades, we have been successful in transforming the relationship from what was primarily an economic relationship into one that is broad, comprehensive and strategic in its focus. We attach the highest priority to working with Japan in international forums, and immediately, Quad, the United Nations, our G4 membership, and the G20 come to mind," EAM Jaishankar said.

Indo-Pacific alignment and global responsibility

"As I reflect on the relationship, it is worth recalling that it was a Japanese Prime Minister who, in his address to the Indian Parliament, laid the ground for the emergence of the Indo-Pacific as a political, economic and strategic construct. Much, much time has passed, but the relationship today sees that our initiative of what we call Mahasagar, which is oceans in a way and vision for the Indo-Pacific aligns closely with your Free and Open Indo-Pacific outlook," he added.

Stressing the wider global context, Jaishankar said India and Japan, as leading democracies and major economies, have a shared responsibility to help shape the global order.

"We are leading democracies. We are the major economies of the world, and we have today not just an opportunity but also an obligation, a duty to shape the global order and in the current uncertain global situation, it is even more important that we work closely towards shared strategic goals," he said.

He also noted that preparations are underway for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2027, reiterating that the India-Japan “special, strategic and global partnership is on a continuously upward trajectory.”