Japan, India To Deepen Security, Economic Ties Amid U.S. Tariffs

• Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to deepen economic and security cooperation during talks in Tokyo on Friday, as India confronts new U.S. tariffs and Japan seeks to counter China’s growing influence.
• Both leaders pledged to boost defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific over the next decade, strengthen supply chains and investment, and expand collaboration in AI, space, high-speed rail and other technologies. They also agreed to widen skilled worker exchanges. Japan said it was targeting 10 Tn yen ($67.9Bn) of private-sector investment in India.
• Both sides emphasised their shared interest in a free and open Indo-Pacific, noting common concerns around maritime security, terrorism, and cyber threats. The partnership extends to skilled worker exchanges and expands trade and investment flows. Modi highlighted the alignment with his “Make in India” strategy, aimed at bolstering domestic industry as U.S. tariffs raise pressure on exports.
• The U.S. recently increased import levies on Indian goods to as high as 50%, including a 25% tariff linked to India’s purchases of Russian oil. The moves complicate India’s trade outlook even as it seeks closer ties with strategic partners. Modi’s visit to Japan comes ahead of his attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China, where he is set to meet President Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

(Source: Reuters)