India and Japan deliberated on the possibilities for cooperation in building respective semiconductor ecosystems, promoting green technologies, advancing defence equipment and technology, and facilitating digital payments at the 16th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Tokyo.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday said the two countries also agreed to make the bilateral relationship responsive to contemporary demands and foster better understanding between their two people.

Mr Jaishankar and Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa reviewed the broad canvas of the strategic partnership, including political exchanges; trade, investment, infrastructure, and technology collaboration; developmental coordination; defence and security cooperation; besides cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Mr Jaishankar also called on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings to him. He also briefed PM Kishida about the recent developments in the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and sought his guidance to strengthen it.

The two ministers discussed digital payments, mobility arrangements, and the promotion of the Japanese language in India. The dialogue also covered regional issues of mutual interest in the Indo-Pacific and major global developments.

Utilising his visit, Mr Jaishankar interacted with a wide cross-section of the public and opinion makers in Japan. He attended the inaugural Raisina Roundtable in Tokyo and delivered remarks on India-Japan bilateral relations in the overall context of the evolving global trends. He also addressed the Nikkei Forum on the India-Japan partnership, outlining the historical and current trajectories in the relationship and reflecting on the new possibilities.

Mr Jaishankar’s visit to Japan provided a timely opportunity to take stock of the ongoing bilateral cooperation and explore ways to qualitatively transform the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries in its 10th year, the MEA added.