Japan and India Deepen Defense Ties, Target $61 Billion Investment

NEW DELHI (AP) — Japan and India agreed Thursday to expand cooperation in defense, economic security, and maritime security. The announcements came after talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in New Delhi. Modi said the two countries will work together on naval radio antenna systems. They also adopted a joint road map on economic security. The leaders agreed to strengthen ties in artificial intelligence, shipbuilding, biogas, semiconductors, and other critical technologies. "India and Japan view economic security as a shared security interest," Modi said. Japan is one of India's largest foreign investors. It backs major projects, including a high-speed rail line between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. About 1,400 Japanese companies operate in India. Nearly half are in manufacturing. Two-way trade reached $27.5 billion in India's 2025-26 fiscal year. Japanese investment totaled $3.2 billion between April and December 2025, according to Indian government data. Takaichi is in New Delhi for a three-day visit. This is the 16th annual India-Japan summit. Both countries want to strengthen their partnership in the Indo-Pacific. Last year, Japan pledged to more than double its investment in India to over $61 billion in the next decade. India and Japan are members of the Quad, along with the United States and Australia. The group promotes cooperation on regional security and maritime issues. Its goal is to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Takaichi said both countries share a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. This is based on freedom of navigation and respect for international law. "Expansion of maritime security cooperation is especially important for regional peace and stability," she said. China criticized the initiative. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said some countries promote "freedom and openness" while pursuing "confrontation and division." He said this approach goes against the region's desire for peace and cooperation. "The Asia-Pacific needs stability, not turmoil; focus on cooperation, not division," Guo said at a press briefing in Beijing.