Sanae Takaichi Visits India, Plans Declaration to Counter China's Rare Earth Export Controls

(CNA Tokyo, June 30) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to visit India for summit talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Japan and India are coordinating to issue a "Joint Declaration on Economic Security" after the meeting. Against the backdrop of China's continued expansion of export controls on important resources such as rare earths, the declaration aims to promote cooperation between Japan and India in critical minerals and semiconductor fields, thereby strengthening supply chain resilience and economic security.

According to NHK and TV Asahi, Takaichi will embark on a three-day trip to India from July 1 to 3, visiting the capital New Delhi. She is scheduled to hold a summit with Modi on July 2. Takaichi is also expected to deliver a speech at an economic forum, which will be attended by over 100 Japanese companies involved in fields such as automobiles, artificial intelligence (AI), and startups.

The planned "Joint Declaration on Economic Security" will reaffirm the stance against coercion through economic means, a move widely seen as intended to counter China's growing economic influence. In addition, the two countries are coordinating to issue another "Joint Statement" that will serve as the future direction of cooperation, focusing on three main pillars: security, economic security, and economic growth.

The two sides plan to prioritize cooperation in five major areas: semiconductors, critical minerals, information and communication technology, clean energy, and pharmaceuticals, aiming to strengthen supply chain security and industrial competitiveness through public-private partnerships.

In terms of AI cooperation, Japan and India are expected to promote the use of artificial intelligence to enhance cybersecurity and system security, while also strengthening cooperation in the construction of AI infrastructure such as data centers and semiconductors, as well as related technological cooperation, thereby expanding the scope of cooperation between the two countries in the digital domain.

Regarding energy security, the two sides plan to establish a dedicated team for liquefied natural gas (LNG) reserves to enhance energy supply cooperation. At the same time, Japan hopes to deepen cooperation in areas such as maritime security with India, following Takaichi's new "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP) concept proposed in May this year.

Given India's sustained high economic growth, Takaichi hopes to establish a more strategic partnership with India, not only to deepen bilateral cooperation but also to further achieve her policy objective of a "resilient economy." (Editor: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150630

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