India and Japan Set to Finalize LNG Security Agreement During PM Modi-Takaichi Bilateral Talks
India and Japan are poised to sign a significant agreement aimed at enhancing liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply security. This pact is expected to be finalized during the annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday. The agreement comes in response to ongoing global supply chain disruptions and aims to establish a joint task force for LNG stockpiling, energy security cooperation, and information-sharing between the two nations.
The task force’s creation is anticipated to be included in the joint statement following the summit. Both countries are preparing for potential future disruptions in global energy markets. India relies heavily on West Asia for its LNG supplies, while Japan sources about 10% of its LNG imports from the same region.
Energy security, critical minerals and AI on summit agenda
Takaichi’s three-day visit to India, which began on Wednesday, is focused on economic security and strengthening supply chains in vital sectors. The summit is likely to yield agreements related to energy resilience, critical minerals, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies. Approximately a dozen government-level agreements and nearly 120 memoranda of understanding between private companies are expected to be announced during the visit.
A joint statement on AI cooperation and a declaration on economic security, which will include diversification of energy resources and decarbonization efforts, are likely key outcomes. The leaders will also discuss collaboration in critical mineral exploration, mobility, pharmaceuticals, biogas, and upstream oil and gas development. Japan plans to highlight private-sector investments of around 10 trillion yen in India over the next decade during the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum, which will see participation from over 100 Japanese business leaders.
Strategic partnership amid regional uncertainties
The summit occurs at a time when both countries are seeking deeper strategic coordination amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. Takaichi is expected to advocate for stronger cooperation with India as China’s influence in the region grows and uncertainties about the US’s future role persist. Economic security is anticipated to be a central theme, with discussions focused on building resilient supply chains in semiconductors, critical minerals, and energy.
Regional issues, including developments in Ukraine, West Asia, and the Indo-Pacific, will also be on the agenda. The leaders are expected to reaffirm their commitment to the Quad grouping, which includes India, Japan, the US, and Australia. This summit will build on the India-Japan Joint Vision for the Next Decade, established during the previous annual meeting in Tokyo in 2025, which identified key areas for cooperation such as the economy, economic security, mobility, environment, technology, and health.
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