India and Japan hold their first Economic Security Dialogue, addressing strategic trade, technology, and supply chain collaboration.
India and Japan convened the first round of their Dialogue on Economic Security, focusing on Strategic Trade and Technology, in Tokyo on Wednesday. The discussions highlighted the need for closer collaboration to safeguard economic interests, strengthen supply chains, and develop critical infrastructure in priority sectors, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
The dialogue was co-chaired by India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Japan’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Masataka Okano. This meeting, part of an initiative announced during the India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in August 2024, aimed to deepen partnerships in economic and technological domains.
The dialogue brought together ministries, departments, and agencies from both nations to exchange views on economic security policies and explore partnerships in critical and emerging technologies. Discussions centered on building industrial and technological resilience, fostering business and academic collaborations, and strengthening policy frameworks to protect economic interests.
Both sides emphasized the importance of resilient supply chains and infrastructure development in identified sectors. Talent exchange and upskilling in areas of mutual interest were also identified as priorities. The MEA described the dialogue as a vital step in enhancing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and regional stability.
During his visit, Foreign Secretary Misri held extensive discussions with senior Japanese officials including Takehiko Matsuo, Vice-Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, to discuss economic and high-technology cooperation, Keiichi Ichikawa, Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Secretariat, to review security and economic partnerships, and Yoshimichi Terada, Vice-Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, to assess progress on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project.
Misri also engaged with representatives from Japanese institutions, including JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization), JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), to discuss collaboration in sustainable development and advanced technologies.
The inaugural dialogue marks a significant milestone in India-Japan relations, focusing on contemporary challenges like economic security and technology collaboration. Both countries expressed their commitment to delivering tangible outcomes through holistic partnerships and emphasized their shared vision for regional stability and global progress.
This engagement strengthens the foundation of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, setting the stage for deeper cooperation in strategic, economic, and technological domains.
(This story has been slightly reworked from an auto-generated PTI feed.)