India and Japan deepen defense and economic ties amid China concerns

India and Japan signed their first-ever defence co-development project and agreed to upgrade a 15-year-old trade pact during the 16th annual summit in New Delhi, as both countries seek to strengthen strategic ties in the Indo-Pacific.

Key agreements

• Defence co-development: The two leaders signed an agreement on the Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) project, a next-generation naval communications system Source: The Hindu, DW.
• Economic partnership: They agreed to review and upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to address its limited benefits for Indian exporters Source: DW.
• Economic security roadmap: Modi and Takaichi adopted a joint roadmap to strengthen supply chain resilience in semiconductors, critical minerals, and AI Source: AP, The Hindu.
• Other initiatives: Cooperation on biogas, shipbuilding, and celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations Source: The Hindu.

China’s reaction

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun warned that cooperation between nations 'should not target or harm the interests of third parties,' and criticized Tokyo and New Delhi for promoting 'confrontation and division' Source: CNA, AP. Beijing recently added 20 Japanese entities to an export blacklist, which Japan called 'unacceptable' Source: CNA.