India and Japan unveiled new initiatives to push bilateral cooperation in the sector of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and critical minerals during the 18th Strategic Dialogue between the two countries.
Highlighting the significance of the India visit, Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamura said Motegi's trip marks his first foreign visit this year and reflects Japan's priority on strengthening partnerships with countries like India.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday underscored the importance of economic security, calling it "paramount" and stressing the need to de-risk both national and global economies amid an uncertain international economic environment.
Discussions centred on the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with both sides underlining the importance of protecting the interests of farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), while enabling Indian industries to integrate more deeply into global supply chains.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and European Union Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based trading system and a modern economic partnership during high-level talks in Brussels.
The United States regards India as a crucial potential partner in efforts to secure global supply chains for artificial intelligence and semiconductors, a senior American official has said, whilst dismissing suggestions that political tensions prevented India's participation in a recent W
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday met a delegation led by the European Union's Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maros Sefcovic, and the two leaders discussed cooperation on trade and investment.
Taking it to social media platform X, the EU Commissioner said, "In India for a two-day marathon of meetings with @PiyushGoyal to advance our trade and investment negotiations."
In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "A pleasure to meet European Trade & Economic Security Commissioner @MarosSefcovic in New Delhi today. Confident that the Commissioner and his team will have productive discussions in India."
Russian President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to India is set to be shaped by risk, supply chains and economic security rather than any return to Cold War-style diplomacy, according to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).
This meeting was the first time the two leaders met in person since Sanae Takaichi assumed office as Japan's first female Prime Minister in October 2025. PM Modi had previously held a congratulatory phone call with her on October 29, 2025.