Modi-Takaichi summit could see new Indo-Pacific defence, economic shield

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds his summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who flew in on Wednesday, what the world will look out for will be whether Asia's “Big 2” can create an architecture of economic security and defence cooperation in an era of uncertain geopolitics disrupting markets and supply chains.

- JAYANTA ROY CHOWDHURY

Unlike earlier India-Japan summits that revolved around infrastructure projects or broad strategic declarations, this meeting comes amid a series of cascading global crises that have blurred the line between economics and national security.

The Trump administration's erratic tariffs, recurring conflict in the Gulf increased vulnerability of maritime trade routes, and China's growing strategic and economic heft have forced both New Delhi and Tokyo to rethink long-held assumptions about globalisation.

The result is likely to be a summit focused on insulating their economies from external shocks and an attempt to build defence cooperation between the two powers.

Officials in both capitals have signalled that discussions will centre on semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, clean energy, investment, innovation and digital infrastructure, as also on defence and a possible Yen-Rupee trade deal.