India-Japan Bilateral Relations

On 19th January 2025, India’s External Affairs Minister and Japan’s Foreign Minister met in Washington, DC, to advance bilateral cooperation and strategic dialogue.

Key Points

Bilateral Cooperation: Discussions spanned political, security, economic, technological, and cultural domains, with satisfaction expressed over ongoing progress.
Strategic Frameworks: Both Ministers emphasized regular communication through mechanisms like the Strategic Dialogue and the 2+2 Dialogue of Foreign and Defence Ministers.
India-Japan Year of Science: The leaders announced 2025 as the India-Japan Year of Science, Technology, and Innovation, commemorating 40 years since the 1985 Science and Technology Memorandum of Understanding.
People-to-People Exchanges: The talks highlighted collaboration in education, skill development, and technology to enhance ties and opportunities for professionals and students.
Cultural Connections: The meeting recognized the historical and spiritual bonds between India and Japan, citing figures like Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, and Subhash Chandra Bose.
Indian Diaspora in Japan: The Indian community in Japan now exceeds 40,000, with the Nishikasai area in Tokyo emerging as a cultural hub.