Modi, Takaichi summit strengthens India-Japan ties amid US policy shifts
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's visit to India this week takes place amid growing uncertainty over the United States' approach towards China and the Indo-Pacific region. The first Trump administration adopted a confrontational policy towards Beijing and invested in building regional coalitions to contain China's rise. However, the current administration has favoured transactional one-on-one engagement over coalition-building.
Recent developments, including the Pentagon's decision to revert the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) to its original name, Pacific Command (PACOM), the 2025 National Security Strategy's narrow conception of core US interests in the Indo-Pacific, and the recent Trump-Xi summit, have raised questions about Washington's reliability as a long-term partner for Asian countries wary of China.
Against this backdrop, summit-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Takaichi, less than a year after the former's visit to Japan, further strengthen the deep-rooted partnership between New Delhi and Tokyo. Japan's advanced technological capabilities, investment capacity, and growing military power make it uniquely positioned to complement India's rise.
Both countries share concerns about China's assertiveness. India has an unresolved border dispute with China, while Japan has maritime and territorial disputes. Technology is another important pillar of bilateral cooperation. Both countries seek to reduce dependence on Chinese technologies and rare earth minerals. Japan brings capital, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductor expertise, while India offers scale, software talent, and a vast market. A coordinated India-Japan strategy can help shape future value chains.
