India-Japan Strategic Partnership: Key Takeaways 2025

The India-Japan Strategic Partnership received renewed energy this week as senior officials from both nations gathered in Delhi to prepare for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Japan next month. Discussions spanned high-speed rail, economic cooperation, rare earth mineral supply, and shared Indo-Pacific security goals.

India-Japan: High-Level Meetings Set the Stage for PM Modi’s Japan Visit

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Funakoshi Takehiro, at Hyderabad House on July 28. The two leaders reviewed developments across political, defence, technological, and economic domains. The discussions also served to lay a diplomatic foundation for Prime Minister Modi’s expected visit to Tokyo in the second half of August 2025.

Later in the day, Mr. Funakoshi also met with P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, to fine-tune Mr. Modi’s travel plans. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that the talks were pivotal in “contributing to further deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and Japan.”

Bullet Train Project Gains Traction with Japan’s Generous Offer

A central point of discussion was the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR), or the Shinkansen Bullet Train project. According to recent reports, Japan will gift India two brand-new E-10 Shinkansen trains, which are also set to be introduced domestically in Japan this year.

This symbolic gesture reinforces the technological trust between both nations and highlights Japan’s strong commitment to the India-Japan Strategic Partnership. The project, initially scheduled for completion in 2022, now has a new target date of December 2029, with the Gujarat portion expected to be operational by December 2027, as per an official update by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Parliament last week.

India-Japan: Tackling EV Supply Chain Challenges and Rare Earth Shortages

Among the pressing issues discussed were the global shortages of critical minerals and rare earth magnets, essential components in Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). Japanese automakers like Suzuki and Toyota, who operate large-scale EV production units in India, have been affected by China’s export restrictions on these materials.

To overcome these hurdles, India and Japan are reportedly exploring joint ventures in India and other countries such as Vietnam, aiming to create stable and diversified supply chains for these essential elements.

Reviving Annual Summits and Strengthening Indo-Pacific Goals

The India-Japan annual summit, postponed in 2024 due to elections in both countries, is finally expected to resume. This summit is vital to both countries’ long-term vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, a key framework within the Quad alliance — comprising India, Japan, the United States, and Australia.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the importance of the meeting, saying both sides were committed to strengthening ties across “security, economy, and people-to-people exchanges.”

Upcoming Quad Summit in India: A Strategic Milestone

Later this year, India is set to host the Quad Leaders Summit, with the participation of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The summit is likely to take place in mid-November 2025, further advancing regional cooperation among like-minded democracies.

While Prime Minister Modi is also expected to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China from August 31 to September 1, officials have not yet confirmed whether his visits to Japan and China will be clubbed together.

Also Read : India-US Trade Deal Delay Triggers Stock Market Downtrend