India, Japan sign multiple agreements, including pact to co-develop naval radio antenna

India and Japan today (2 July) signed a slew of agreements and initiatives, including a defence pact to co-develop for the first time a naval radio antenna to detect stealth warships following summit talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi in New Delhi.

Appearing at a joint media appearance, Modi said the naval radio antenna is the first co-development project between the two countries and said it would open a 'new chapter' in India-Japan defence partnership, which will strengthen regional peace, maritime security and the rules-based order.

Takaichi, who is on her official visit to India, said: "Japan and India will leverage each other's strengths to ⁠grow strong and prosperous together."

"Amid a turbulent international landscape, building such a mutually complementary cooperative relationship has become increasingly important," she added.

The two sides also rolled out measures to solidify their cooperation in key sectors like energy and critical technology.

Modi said, "The economies of India and Japan are complementary. From cultural values to modern technology, there is a similarity in our thinking and approach as well."

"And above all, the foundation of our relations rests on unbreakable mutual trust," he said.

The Indian PM said the two sides have prepared a joint roadmap for economic security.

The major outcomes from the meeting included a declaration on economic security, a joint statement for cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and a document to bolster engagement in the energy supply chain.

The two prime ministers carried out a comprehensive review of India-Japan ties in areas of trade and investment, economic security, energy, emerging technologies, defence and people-to-people exchanges.