NEW DELHI, July 3 (ANI) — India and Japan have agreed to leverage India’s industrial base to establish a major manufacturing, trade, and investment hub aimed at supporting sustainable economic development across Africa.
According to a joint statement issued following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the initiative is part of the newly adopted Strategic Outlook for Expanding Japan-India Cooperation in Africa.
The framework seeks to align existing initiatives, including the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), Japan’s Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), and the Economic Region Initiative of the Indian Ocean-Africa.
By expanding industrial activity in India, the two countries aim to create a stronger supply chain and investment corridor that supports long-term economic growth across the African continent.
Beyond Africa, the two leaders discussed regional security challenges, expressing deep concern over the worsening situation in Myanmar and its broader implications for the region.
The prime ministers jointly called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and emphasized the need to create conditions conducive to inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders. They reiterated their support for a peaceful and durable resolution that is Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned.
Prime Minister Modi also welcomed Japan’s support for India’s bid to host the Fourth United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2030. The conference is intended to advance the principles of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, including investment in disaster risk reduction and the “Build Back Better” approach.
According to the joint statement, India and Japan agreed to continue expanding cooperation in disaster risk reduction, including through the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, scheduled to be held in Sendai, Japan, in 2027.
The two countries also agreed to broaden policy consultations between their foreign ministries on developments across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
In addition, they pledged to deepen strategic cooperation on a wide range of multilateral issues, including United Nations reform, space, cybersecurity, maritime affairs, climate change, counterterrorism, Arctic policy, and strategic policy planning.
The joint statement reaffirmed the importance of the Annual Summit mechanism in advancing India-Japan cooperation across multiple sectors.
Marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations as the India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons, the two leaders renewed their commitment to strengthening the Special Strategic and Global Partnership and expanding people-to-people ties through year-long commemorative programs. (ANI)
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