NEW DELHI: On Friday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed the significant impact Japan has had on India, hailing it as an "exemplary modernizer" for the nation. Speaking at the India-Japan Forum in the esteemed presence of Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Jaishankar emphasized that India stands as an indispensable partner in fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, Tokyo expressed its desire to extend cooperation with New Delhi, solidifying the bond between the two nations.

Jaishankar attributed Japan's role as a natural partner in India's modernization journey, heralding the numerous revolutions it has sparked in the country. Notably, the Suzuki revolution left an indelible mark, going beyond just introducing Suzuki cars but altering the lifestyle and industrial culture of India. The metro revolution followed suit, profoundly impacting urban infrastructure. As the high-speed rail project nears completion, Jaishankar envisions a colossal ripple effect that will reshape social habits.

Looking ahead, Jaishankar highlighted the fourth revolution, emerging in critical technologies and the semiconductor domain. Japan's contributions have been instrumental in transforming Indian manufacturing, urbanization processes, and logistics organization. The potential for further collaboration in these areas remains vast.

The 15th India-Japan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue, held in New Delhi, allowed both ministers to review the progress of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Their comprehensive discussions encompassed a wide array of bilateral, regional, and global issues, all grounded in shared values and principles. Notably, they underscored the importance of achieving JPY 5 trillion Japanese investment in India between 2022 and 2027, signifying a strong commitment to the partnership. As the dialogue unfolded, defence and security cooperation received particular attention, with discussions centering on deepening defence equipment and technology co-operation.

The meeting served as a platform to exchange views on regional and global matters of mutual interest, reinforcing the robust ties between India and Japan and paving the way for even greater collaboration in critical and emerging technologies, resilient supply chains, and digital public infrastructure.

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