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New Delhi. The economic and strategic partnership between India and Japan is taking a new turn. From August 2025 till now, 120 MoUs have been signed between the two countries. Japan is going to make a big investment of about Rs 10 lakh crore in India. This investment is being made in defence, energy, automobile, steel, semiconductor, AI and space sectors. This partnership will help in making India self-reliant and separating Japan from its dependence on China.

During the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Sana Takaichi to India, the direction of important cooperation in the defense sector between Japan and India has been decided. Both countries have decided to further strengthen defense partnership. Till now the work between the two countries was mainly on non-lethal equipment and some technical cooperation, but now it is moving towards full defense cooperation.

In November 2024, both the countries signed an agreement on joint development of Unicorn stealth antenna mast for Indian Navy warships. India’s BEL company is making it at the local level. The biggest change at the time of Takaichi’s visit is that Japan has lifted its ban on the export of lethal weapons in April 2026. Now Japan is ready to provide complete warships, missiles and advanced weapon systems to India and jointly develop them.

During this visit, both the countries also agreed on the Economic Security Declaration, in which, without naming anyone, it was said that they should unite against coercion. This step has become more important after the restrictions imposed by China on Japanese companies.

Mogami class frigate will be built in India

Japan is now ready to increase cooperation with India on advanced frigates like Mogami class frigate, missile systems and other naval equipment. Both countries are also discussing joint production and technology transfer. This deal is important for India because it wants to reduce dependence on Russia for its defense needs and wants to acquire modern, reliable technology.

India is a big market and reliable defense partner for Japan, especially when China is putting pressure on it. Both countries are also members of QUAD, under which defense cooperation was already increasing. There is a clear indication of taking defense cooperation beyond trade in Takaichi’s visit.

Major defense deals…

Stealth Technology (UNICORN Antenna Mast)
Joint Development and Production
Export and Cooperation of Lethal Weapons (Warships & Missiles)
Economic Security and Supply Chain Partnership
Japan needs a bigger market and production base in India, while India needs modern technology to reduce its dependence on Russia. However there are challenges also. Earlier the US-2 aircraft deal was stuck on cost and technology transfer. Japan’s aging workforce and weak supply chain are also difficult. But both the countries are working together on these challenges. This partnership is not only economic but also strategic.