As Donald Trump cancels his India visit and faces backlash over his Nobel Peace Prize bid, New Delhi has turned eastward to deepen ties with Japan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba have unveiled a landmark roadmap for economic, cultural, and scientific cooperation — signaling a new era in Asia’s strategic balance.
$68 Billion Japanese Investment
At the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit, Japan announced a 10 trillion yen ($68 billion) investment into India over the next decade. The funds will flow into clean energy, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing. This comes at a time when U.S. tariffs — imposed under Trump — have strained India’s economic outlook.
5 Lakh People Exchange
Equally significant is the exchange of 500,000 people between India and Japan over five years. This program will include 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled Indians contributing to Japan’s workforce, while also boosting cultural and educational ties. It reflects the long-term trust and partnership between the two nations.
Chandrayaan-5 Mission Support
Japan has also signed an implementing arrangement to assist India in its upcoming Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) lunar mission. The collaboration will see ISRO’s lander and JAXA’s rover explore the Moon’s south pole for water and volatiles, using Japan’s H3-24L launch vehicle.
A Strategic Shift
These developments underline India’s growing reliance on Asian allies amid tensions with the U.S. Trump had previously dismissed India as a “dead economy,” but Japan’s massive investment and scientific support tell a different story.
India and Japan are now positioning themselves not just as economic partners, but as pioneers in shaping Asia’s technological and space future.