PM Modi and PM Shigeru Ishiba signed several agreements. (Social Media)
National News:India and Japan have just signed a ten-year agreement that mixes economics, defence and people-to-people ties in a way both sides are calling historic. At the 15th India–Japan Summit in Tokyo, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba unveiled what they titled the “Roadmap for Next Generation Security and Prosperity.” The phrase itself sounded less like a typical trade deal and more like a joint mission statement.
One of the headline numbers: Japan will invest around 1,000 billion yen—close to six lakh crore rupees—in India across the next decade. Another big promise is smoother movement of skilled workers. Officials hinted that nearly half a million Indians could find a place in Japan’s labor market over the coming years, especially in industries short of manpower.
The summit wasn’t just about economics. Diplomats noted how Japan postponed a round of talks with Washington only a day earlier, yet rolled out the red carpet for Modi. For many observers, that contrast alone sent a message: Tokyo wants to broaden its options, and India is central to that strategy.
The day saw a packed agenda. There were separate papers signed on worker mobility, science collaboration, a vision document for the next ten years, and joint defense exercises. Some senior Japanese commentators admitted it was rare for Tokyo to sign this many agreements with one partner in a single sitting.
The human angle is striking. Within five years, about 500,000 people are expected to move between the two countries for work and education. That includes 50,000 highly trained Indian professionals in IT, engineering and research.
Japan has agreed to back training centers inside India, where candidates will be prepared in both the Japanese language and industrial practices before they leave. Universities in Japan will also open more seats for Indian students.
Both leaders underlined the scale of the partnership. Modi said the deal was “not just about India and Japan, but about stability and peace in the wider world.” He called it the start of a “golden chapter.”
Ishiba, on his part, said Japan’s technology and India’s skilled youth “fit naturally together,” and that the region would be more secure because of this alignment.
Even before their meeting, Ishiba posted a short greeting in Hindi on social media. Later, Modi was given a ceremonial guard of honor at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office.
If the promises hold, the roadmap could reshape India–Japan ties for a generation. The mix of defense, digital innovation, human capital and investment looks designed not only to serve two economies but also to influence the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.
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