Delhi And Tokyo Must Not Depend On Any Single Country: Japanese PM’s Special Advisor | Exclusive

Last Updated:July 09, 2026, 9:02 PM IST

Sadamasa discusses why Tokyo believes the relationship with New Delhi has entered a new era of strategic convergence and trust.

Sanae Takaichi was welcomed with ceremonial honours, played the santoor, addressed business leaders, and was warmly described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his “younger sister” during her visit to India. (IMAGE: PTI)

It was diplomacy with a distinctly personal touch. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was welcomed with ceremonial honours, played the santoor, addressed business leaders, and was warmly described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his “younger sister” during her visit to India.

But behind the optics lay one of the most substantive India-Japan summits in recent years. The two sides signed a series of agreements spanning economic security, artificial intelligence, defence technology and resilient supply chains, pushed forward negotiations on expanding economic cooperation, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.

But what did the summit really achieve beyond the headlines and photo opportunities?

To unpack the strategic significance of the visit, CNN-News18 spoke with OUE Sadamasa, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan. In this exclusive interview, he discusses the next phase of India-Japan ties, the Quad’s role beyond symbolism, China’s growing assertiveness, economic security, and why Tokyo believes the relationship has entered a new era of strategic convergence and trust.

Excerpts from the interview:

1. Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit to India last week has been described as a milestone in bilateral ties. What, in your view, was its single most consequential outcome, and what concrete deliverables should we expect over the next year? The visit reaffirmed our shared commitment to advancing strategic cooperation under the ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’, with the common goal of promoting growth, prosperity and resilience. Equally important, the two Prime Ministers were able to deepen their personal relationship of trust, which will help drive cooperation across sectors. As next year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and India, we expect to see greater engagement through commemorative events, stronger people-to-people ties, and expanded partnerships between local governments.
2. China’s growing military presence in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and around Taiwan has fundamentally altered Asia’s security landscape. How closely are India and Japan coordinating their strategic responses to these challenges? Do Delhi and Tokyo now share intelligence or security assessments more closely than before?

   At the summit, the two Prime Ministers held wide-ranging discussions on developments in the Indo-Pacific, including issues related to China, and reaffirmed the importance of close Japan-India cooperation. They agreed to further strengthen collaboration in maritime security by expanding joint training and exercises, including in the Indian Ocean, enhancing maritime domain awareness through satellite capabilities, and deepening cooperation with the Indian Navy on the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of naval assets.

3. As Quad members face pressure from China individually, how does Japan assess the Quad’s ability to act cohesively rather than symbolically in the Indo-Pacific?

   The Quad is not directed against any specific country, nor is it a military alliance. Rather, it is a framework for advancing practical cooperation to realise the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). The four members remain committed to delivering tangible outcomes across key areas, including maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Japan shares a common vision with its Quad partners and will continue working together to promote peace, stability and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

   
4. Can India and Japan realistically build supply chains that reduce dependence on China, or is that still more ambition than reality?

   The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their shared concerns over economic coercion, non-market policies and practices, including arbitrary export restrictions, and stressed the need for diversified, resilient and reliable global supply chains that do not depend excessively on any single country. To advance this goal, Japan and India adopted the Japan-India Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation, which focuses on project-based collaboration between the public and private sectors in five priority areas: semiconductors, critical minerals, information and communication technology, clean energy, and pharmaceuticals. Cooperation in defence equipment and technology has also progressed, including through the transfer of the Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN). I expect this partnership to deepen further as Japan reviews its Three Principles on the Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology.

5. Japan has long championed a rules-based international order. At a time when conflicts in Europe and the Middle East are reshaping global geopolitics, what role do you see India and Japan playing together in preserving stability?

   As countries that share fundamental values, Japan and India held wide-ranging discussions on the role they can play in promoting peace and stability amid growing global uncertainty. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed that Japan’s updated vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and India’s MAHASAGAR initiative are aligned in their shared objective of ensuring a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific. I believe this common vision will further strengthen the strategic partnership between our two countries.

6. If you had to identify one unresolved issue in Delhi-Tokyo relations that leaders don’t talk about enough, what would it be?

   At the summit, the two leaders held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues, including deepening strategic cooperation, strengthening economic and energy security, and fostering growth through greater investment and innovation. Going forward, Japan and India will continue to build on their respective strengths and deepen their mutually complementary partnership through practical and concrete cooperation.

7. And finally, in one sentence, how would you describe the future of India–Japan relations after the recent summit?

   As reflected in the Japan-India Annual Summit Joint Statement, our two countries will continue to advance a Partnership of Strategic Convergence and Trust for Shared Growth, Prosperity and Resilience, and I believe there remains tremendous potential to further strengthen this relationship.

About the Author

Sukanya SahaTV Anchor

Sukanya Saha is a television anchor at CNN-News18 who regularly attends major geopolitical summits and tracks foreign affairs with a close eye on shifting global power dynamics. With over eight years …Read More

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