External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday underlined the need to “de-risk” the global economy, asserting that economic security has become “particularly paramount” in the current uncertain international environment. He also reiterated that India attaches the highest priority to working closely with Japan in key international forums.
Delivering the opening remarks at the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi, Jaishankar warmly welcomed Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, recalling their long-standing association and close cooperation over the years. He said the India-Japan relationship, once driven largely by economic engagement, has evolved over the past two decades into a broad, comprehensive and strategic partnership.
Highlighting the importance India places on collaboration with Japan, Jaishankar said New Delhi accords the highest priority to working with Tokyo in multilateral and plurilateral platforms, including the Quad, the United Nations, the G4 grouping and the G20.
Reflecting on the strategic evolution of ties, the External Affairs Minister recalled the historic address by a Japanese Prime Minister to the Indian Parliament that laid the foundation for the Indo-Pacific as a political, economic and strategic construct. He noted that India’s MAHASAGAR initiative and its Indo-Pacific vision closely align with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific outlook.
Jaishankar described India and Japan as leading democracies and major global economies with a shared responsibility to help shape the global order. In this context, he said, closer coordination between the two countries is essential, especially amid growing global uncertainties.
Stressing the centrality of economic security, Jaishankar said both countries place enormous importance on de-risking their domestic economies as well as the international economic system. He said discussions during the dialogue would focus on resilient supply chains, critical minerals, and cooperation in areas such as energy, health and maritime security.
The minister also noted that India and Japan will celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, expressing confidence that the Special Strategic and Global Partnership will continue on an upward trajectory and be commemorated in a fitting manner.
Referring to Minister Motegi’s recent visits to countries in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia, Jaishankar said these travels reflected the convergence of interests between India and Japan, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region and in West Asia, including shared concerns related to energy security.
Concluding his remarks on a lighter note, Jaishankar mentioned his pleasant surprise at discovering Motegi’s deep interest in cricket, expressed through a recent article, and said he hoped to one day visit the cricket field in the Japanese minister’s hometown.
