Overview: During her first official visit to India, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed 16 agreements covering security, energy and trade. The talks highlighted a renewed commitment to an Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) posture that is independent of broader multilateral groupings.
Key Developments
- Joint statement on energy resilience and cooperation along the maritime energy transport value chain.
- Agreement to build naval platforms for enhanced maritime domain awareness and surveillance.
- Joint expression of "serious concerns" over the situation in the South China Sea and a call for a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue.
- Recognition of the strategic importance of the Indo‑Pacific and commitment to cooperate from South Asia to this wider area.
- Linkage of Japan’s investments in Bangladesh, Thailand and the Matarbari port project with India’s northeast, using BIMSTEC as a regional platform.
Important Facts
The visit did not include the planned stop in Guwahati, but Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized Japan’s interest in India’s northeastern states and their connection to the Bay of Bengal region. BIMSTEC was cited as a partner for future projects, aiming to create an industrial value chain that links Japanese investments with Indian infrastructure.
Both countries see the Gulf’s energy supplies as vital. The agreements address safety of energy‑carrying ships, especially in the cont