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Italian adult website forced to shut down after massive outrage over doctored pornographic images of women including PM Giorgia Meloni

OpIndia Staff
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Italian adult website forced to shut down after massive outrage over doctored pornographic images of women including PM Giorgia Meloni

An Italian image sharing website has been forced to shut down after users posted thousands of doctored pornographic images of women, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other celebrities. The website announced its closure after a backlash from several female politicians including Meloni.

The website named Phica, a play on the Italian slang for vagina, now displays a message saying it has shut down. The scandal broke down after several politicians targeted in the website reported the matter to the police. The Italian police have launched investigations into the site’s administrators and participants.

“I am disgusted by what has happened, and I want to address my solidarity and closeness to all the women who have been offended, insulted, violated in their intimacy by the managers of this forum and its users,” Giorgia Meloni told the media. She said that that those who disseminate intimate content without consent commit a serious crime.

Doctored photos of women posted on the site were accompanied by sexist and explicit comments. Alessandra Moretti, Member of the European Parliament, said, “They have been stealing photos and clips from TV shows I’ve appeared on for years, then altering them and feeding them to thousands of users.”

Phica reportedly had around 7,00,000 users, and was active for two decades. While there were complaints earlier, no action was taken. The site had a so-called VIP section, where doctored photos of female Italian politicians and other prominent figures were posted. The photographs were taken from publicly available sources including their own social media profiles.

Phica said that all the images from the platform will be deleted.

Partnership for Security and Prosperity of Next Generation: India and Japan issue Joint Statement after 15th India-Japan Annual Summit – Full Text

OpIndia Staff
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Partnership for Security and Prosperity of Next Generation: India and Japan issue Joint Statement after 15th India-Japan Annual Summit – Full Text

The following is the joint statement issued by Japan after the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit held during PM Narendra Modi’s ongoing Japan visit, as published by the Prime Minister’s Office through the Press Information Bureau.

At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi paid an Official Working Visit to Japan on 29-30 August 2025 for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit. Prime Minister Modi was received by Prime Minister Ishiba at the Prime Minister’s Office (Kantei) on the evening of 29 August 2025 where he received a ceremonial guard of honour. The two Prime Ministers held the delegation-level talks during which they recalled the longstanding friendship between India and Japan that is rooted in civilizational ties, shared values and interests, common strategic outlook and mutual respect for each other. The two Prime Ministers appreciated the significant strides made by the India-Japan partnership over the last decade and held constructive discussion on ways to strengthen the strategic and forward-looking partnership for achieving mutual security and prosperity in the coming decades.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the sustained high-level exchanges, and ministerial and parliamentary engagements between both sides which reflect mutual trust and depth of relationship. The partnership has significantly expanded over the past decade into wide-ranging areas such as security, defence, trade, investment, commerce, science and technology, skills and mobility, and cultural and people-to-people links. The two Prime Ministers appreciated that India and Japan have more than seventy dialogue mechanisms and working groups across sectors which lead to intense engagement and collaboration between myriad ministries, agencies and departments.

The two Prime Ministers came to a common understanding that the India-Japan partnership stands at an important juncture and that it is imperative to develop a mutually complementary relationship by building upon our accomplishments and to leverage our respective strengths as well as excellent ties to pursue security and prosperity for the next generations. They resolved to continue working closely with each other to realize shared objectives and further advance the Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Towards this end, the two Prime Ministers made a series of announcements focusing on three priority areas: bolstering our defence and security cooperation, reinforcing our economic partnership and deepening our people-to-people exchanges. They welcomed the signing of important documents in key sectors, including clean energy, critical minerals, digital partnership, space, science and technology, cultural exchanges and diplomatic training. The leaders adopted:

(i) A Joint Vision for the Next Decade, which lays out whole-of-nation lines of efforts to steer the partnership in eight pillars such as economy, economic security, mobility, environment, technology and innovation, health, people-to-people ties and state-prefecture engagement;

(ii) A Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, which elevates our defense and security ties to the next level, taking into account the contemporary geopolitical realities and security configurations in the region; and

(iii) An Action Plan for India-Japan Human Resource Exchange and Cooperation, which lays out a roadmap for talent mobility and deepening people-to-people ties through exchanges of more than 500,000 personnel in five years, including 50,000 skilled personnel and potential talents from India to Japan.

The two Prime Ministers also announced India-Japan Economic Security Initiative to provide momentum for bilateral cooperation in the field of economic security including securing and strengthening supply chains in critical goods and sectors and accelerating cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, with heightened priority on telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, semiconductors and clean energy. They appreciated the launch of the Dialogue on Economic Security, including Strategic Trade and Technology in November 2024.

The two Prime Ministers tasked their Foreign Ministries to accelerate policy level exchanges on economic security with a view to identifying concrete outcomes and projects in strategic sectors, in tandem with industry and academia. In this context, both sides consent to work towards further protecting high technology trade while mutually easing export control challenges. Both sides issued an Economic Security Factsheet outlining certain ongoing collaboration in strategic sectors. The two Prime Ministers welcomed initiatives to promote business-to-business cooperation in the field of economic security to encourage Indian and Japanese companies towards supply chain diversification and resilience. They welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation in the Field of Mineral Resources between the two sides to promote cooperation in the area of critical minerals with the intention of expansion of business opportunities.

The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress made under the India-Japan Digital Partnership, which promotes joint collaboration in emerging technologies through digital talent exchange, research and development, startups, and corporate partnerships. They welcomed the India-Japan Digital Partnership 2.0, which will elevate cooperation to the next stage of the digital revolution. The two Prime Ministers also announced the launch of a Japan-India AI Cooperation Initiative, which is aimed at deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation on artificial intelligence including Large Language Models (LLMs), establishing platforms for exchange between industry and academia, supporting joint research projects, and facilitating the development and operations of data centers in India. Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to Prime Minister Ishiba to attend the AI Impact Summit, which will be hosted by India on 19-20 February 2026. Furthermore, the two Prime Ministers emphasized the importance of support for startups and concurred in promoting activities of startups of both countries in India including through the Japan-India Startup Support Initiative (JISSI).

The two Prime Ministers expressed deep satisfaction that defense and maritime security cooperation between India and Japan is on an upward trajectory. They welcomed the holding of the third 2+2 meeting of their Foreign and Defence Ministers in August 2024 in New Delhi and instructed their Ministers to hold the fourth round in Tokyo at an early date. They expressed their satisfaction at the exchanges between the services since the last Summit in March 2022. They welcomed Japan Maritime Self Defense Force’s (JMSDF) participation in MILAN exercise, a multi-lateral exercise hosted by India, as well as the participation of the Japanese team in exercise Tarang Shakti, the first multilateral exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force. They also welcomed the conduct of the inaugural edition of the bilateral fighter exercise ‘Veer Guardian 2023’ between the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) and conduct of the bilateral exercises of all the three services in one calendar year for the first time in 2023. They acknowledged ongoing collaboration in the area of Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation and directed the relevant authorities of the two sides to expedite efforts to materialize the concrete outcomes through the ongoing collaboration at the earliest while also identifying specific areas for the future to effectively support both sides’ operational approaches.

Acknowledging the significance of economic cooperation as a key pillar of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership, the two Prime Ministers welcomed the progress made towards the target of 5 trillion Yen in public and private investment and financing in five years from Japan to India since 2022. Noting the steps taken by India to improve the business environment for Japanese investors in India, as well as other measures to boost economic growth and improve ease of doing business, the two Prime Ministers set a new target of 10 trillion Yen in private investment in India from Japan. Prime Minister Ishiba recognized the immense potential for Japanese companies to deepen their supply chains in India, and requested the Indian side to continue with its regulatory and other reforms to meet this objective. Prime Minister Modi recognized the contribution of Japanese companies and institutions in creating employment opportunities and fostering growth and innovation in India. He recalled his intent to carry out additional regulatory and other reforms to facilitate investment into India and invited more Japanese businesses to avail of these. They endorsed bilateral efforts to support Japan Industrial Townships (JITs) and strengthen cooperation in logistics, textiles, food processing, agriculture, automotives, industrial capital goods and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under the India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership (IJICP). The two Prime Ministers recognised the need to enhance and diversify bilateral trade including by accelerating further review of the implementation of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to make it more forward-looking.

The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction Japan’s development cooperation support to India over the past decades, which has significantly contributed to India’s economic and social development as well as peace and stability in the region. They reaffirmed their continued commitment to the development of India’s North Eastern Region, which has led and will lead to economic prosperity of the region at large. They renewed their intention to further strengthen their endeavours to enhance hard, soft and people-to-people connectivity and thus, unleash the great potential of this region through the Act East Forum (AEF) in close cooperation with regional partners.

The Prime Ministers noted the importance of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail as a flagship project between India and Japan. They concurred to work towards the commencement of operations at the earliest and cooperate on the introduction of the latest Japanese Shinkansen technology in India. The Indian side appreciates Japan’s offer to introduce, in the early 2030s, the E10 series of the Shinkansen that runs on the Japanese signalling system. To this end, it was concurred to immediately commence work necessary for early installation of the signalling, including the Japanese system, as well as for the introduction of the General Inspection Train (GIT) and one set of E5 series Shinkansen rolling stock.

Acknowledging the importance of simultaneously ensuring energy security, promoting sustainable economic growth, and addressing climate change, the two Prime Ministers, based on the Clean Energy Partnership launched in 2022 and with the aim of further strengthening bilateral energy cooperation, reaffirmed their shared recognition that there is no single pathway to achieving a net-zero economy, but rather various pathways that reflect each country’s national circumstances. In this regard, they welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation on the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) and the Joint Declaration of Intent on Clean Hydrogen and Ammonia.

In the field of people-to-people connections, the two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their resolve to tap into economically beneficial complementarities in their endowment of human resource towards a new wave of people-to-people exchanges. They welcomed the opening of the Indian Consulate in Fukuoka that will deepen the links between the Kyushu region of Japan with India. They appreciated the progress made in Japanese language education in India through the Nihongo Partners programme and the 360-hour Teachers’ Training Course. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their shared resolve to build upon the achievements of the Japan-India Institutes for Manufacturing and Japanese Endowed Courses, that, since their inception in 2016, have created a talent pipeline of 30,000 people adept at Japanese manufacturing and managerial skills. The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the growing interest among the people of India and Japan to discover each others’ country and culture, as reflected through the increasing tourist flows between the two countries. They appreciated the successful celebrations of the India-Japan Tourism Exchange Year (April 2023-March 2025) under the theme of “Connecting Himalayas with Mount Fuji”. Drawing on centuries-old civilizational linkages between the two countries, the leaders concurred to promote tourism exchanges in this field.

The two Prime Ministers noted with pleasure that the year 2025 is being celebrated as the India-Japan Year of Science, Technology and Innovation Exchange, marking the 40th anniversary of the first MoU on science and technology signed between the two countries. They welcomed the joint research collaborations between academic institutions, exchange visits of scientists and researchers of the two countries, and the newly launched industry-academia collaborations through the provision of internship opportunities in Japanese companies, in collaboration with the LOTUS Programme, and Sakura Science Exchange Program. The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the progress made in the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission between the Indian Space Research Organization and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. They welcomed the recent extension of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Indian Beamline at KEK, Tsukuba for another six years. The two Prime Ministers appreciated the progress in the 11th Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation held on 5 June 2025- particularly in the fields of new and emerging areas such as quantum technology, clean technology, disaster management, biotechnology and geospatial technologies.

Recognising that regional linkages play an important role in deepening economic and people-to-people connections between the two countries, the Prime Ministers welcomed the State-Prefecture partnerships established recently between Andhra Pradesh and Toyama, Tamil Nadu and Ehime, Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi, Gujarat and Shizuoka, as well as the Kansai Coordination Meeting for Promotion of Business Exchange with India, the regional partnership in Kansai area. Prime Minister Modi congratulated Prime Minister Ishiba on the ongoing Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and appreciated Japan’s support for India’s active participation in the Expo, which has also given tremendous momentum to state-prefecture partnerships in recent months. Prime Minister Ishiba welcomed India’s participation in the GREEN x EXPO 2027 to be held in Yokohama.

The two Prime Ministers, taking into account the prevailing global situation, resolved to uphold the international order based on the rule of law and reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, prosperous and resilient. They reiterated their strong support for the region’s economic development and prosperity by delivering tangible benefits through practical projects. They also reiterated their commitment to advancing cooperation among like-minded countries through multilateral frameworks such as Quad between Australia, India, Japan and the United States, to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. In this regard, they welcomed the evolution of the Quad into a vital and enduring regional grouping, and looked forward to the next Quad Leaders’ Summit hosted by India later this year.

The two Prime Ministers expressed serious concern over the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. They reiterated their strong opposition to any unilateral actions that endanger the safety as well as freedom of navigation and overflight, and attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion. They shared their serious concern over the militarization of disputed features. They reaffirmed that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The two Prime Ministers condemned North Korea’s destabilizing launches using ballistic missile technology and its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). They reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with relevant UNSCRs, and urged North Korea to abide by all its obligations under the United Nations Charter and the UNSCRs. They called on North Korea to return to dialogue to promote peace and stability in the Korean peninsula. They stressed the importance of addressing continued concern regarding proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies to and from North Korea in the region and beyond. They urged all UN Member States to abide by their international obligations under the UNSCRs to implement sanctions, including the prohibition on the transfer to North Korea or procurement from North Korea of all arms and related materiel. They reconfirmed the necessity of immediate resolution of the abductions issue.

The two Prime Ministers unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. They condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, and took note of the United Nations Security Council Monitoring Team Report of 29 July mentioning The Resistance Front (TRF). Prime Minister Modi further explained that the TRF had claimed responsibility for the attack. Prime Minister Ishiba noted this with concern. They called for the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay. They also called for concerted actions against all UN-listed terrorist groups and entities including Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and their proxies, and to take resolute actions to root out terrorists’ safe havens, eliminate terrorist financing channels and its nexus with transnational crime, and halt cross-border movement of terrorists.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the close cooperation between a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI). They reiterated their strong support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality and their unwavering support for the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)”.

The two Prime Ministers remain deeply concerned by the worsening crisis in Myanmar and its impact on the regional security, displacement of people and the increase in transnational crimes. They called on all parties to immediately cease all acts of violence. The two Prime Ministers noted the recent announcement of ending the state of emergency and plans for holding an election. The two Prime Ministers strongly urged a return to the path of democracy that allows for inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders and free and fair elections, and urged the release of those who are detained. They reaffirmed their strong support for ASEAN’s efforts, including calling for the full and effective implementation of the Five Point Consensus in seeking an inclusive, durable, and peaceful resolution to the crisis.

The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of collaborative projects between India and Japan in the Indo-Pacific region including Africa. They welcomed the launch of the Japan-India Cooperation Initiative for Sustainable Economic Development in Africa aimed at promoting industrial concentration in India to establish an industrial hub for trade and investment with Africa. They also welcomed the successful convening of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) and shared views on the significant potential for strengthening connectivity and value chains in the Indian Ocean Region and Africa. In this context, Prime Minister Modi appreciated the Economic Region Initiative of Indian Ocean-Africa which was announced by Prime Minister Ishiba at TICAD 9. They concurred that collaboration among Japan, India and other countries in the region could bring prosperity to all stakeholders.

The two Prime Ministers expressed support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. They also welcomed the ongoing diplomatic efforts by various countries to achieve a just and lasting peace.

The two Prime Ministers reiterated their commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East, calling on all parties concerned to show restraint, protect civilians, comply with international law, and refrain from taking actions that could further escalate the situation and compromise regional stability. They welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Iran and stressed the importance of maintaining the ceasefire as well as resolving Iran’s nuclear issue through dialogue. The two Prime Ministers expressed grave concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. They strongly stressed the importance of reaching an agreement among the parties concerned regarding the release of all hostages and the immediate and sustainable ceasefire, as well as addressing the deteriorating humanitarian situation. In this regard, they welcomed ongoing efforts being made by various countries desirous of bringing peace to the region.

The two Prime Ministers resolved to continue to work closely together for an urgent reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC) including through the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent categories to better reflect the current geopolitical realities. They expressed their determination to accelerate UNSC reforms, particularly through the commencement of text-based negotiations under the Inter-Governmental Negotiations framework with an overall objective to achieve concrete outcomes in a fixed time-frame. They expressed their mutual support for each other’s candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed UNSC. They also underscored the need for UN reform to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN that contributes to global governance in a changing world.

The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the Annual Summit mechanism to progress India-Japan cooperation across a range of sectors. The 15th Annual Summit helped take stock of the progress made in India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership since 2014 and create a framework for continued cooperation benefiting our next generation and beyond. The two Prime Ministers noted that the two nations are advancing together towards the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relationship in 2027 which would be celebrated in a befitting manner. In this context, both leaders welcome a vibrant exchange of views, substantive inputs of ideas and policy recommendations, as well as active mutual collaborations among all the stakeholders of both nations in various fields of business, intellectual, science and culture. Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Ishiba for the warmth and hospitality extended to him and members of his delegation during the visit to Japan and extended an invitation to Prime Minister Ishiba to visit India on the occasion of the Quad Leaders’ Summit, to be hosted later this year. Prime Minister Ishiba accepted the invitation with pleasure. The visit reaffirmed the deep-rooted civilizational ties, vibrant people-to-people linkages, and shared democratic values that form the bedrock of the longstanding friendship between India and Japan.

Groundbreaking talent bridge: India and Japan commit to massive human resource exchanges in skills, education, language, wellness and workforce development

OpIndia Staff
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Groundbreaking talent bridge: India and Japan commit to massive human resource exchanges in skills, education, language, wellness and workforce development

In a bid to deepen bilateral ties and build stronger people-to-people links, India and Japan have unveiled an ambitious action plan targeting the exchange of over 500,000 individuals in both directions over the next five years, including a focused movement of 50,000 skilled professionals and talents from India to Japan. The agreement was reached at the 2025 India–Japan Annual Summit attended by PM Narendra Modi during his ongoing Japan visit. It signals a renewed commitment by both nations to foster meaningful cooperation across public, private, and academic spheres.

Bridging Talent and Cultural Gaps

The exchange initiative is designed to promote mutual understanding and harness complementary strengths across sectors. Its core objectives encompass attracting Indian talent to Japan, fostering joint research and innovation, facilitating cultural and educational linkages, and addressing Japan’s manpower shortages while boosting India’s skill development and manufacturing capacities.

High-Skilled Professionals: Engineering and Academia

To encourage Indian engineering experts and academics to move to Japan, the plan includes dispatching delegations from Japanese corporations to Indian universities, surveying employment trends to highlight success stories, and increasing awareness of professional opportunities. It also encourages participation of Indian educators in the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme.

Fostering Student & Research Collaboration

A wide array of initiatives targets student and research exchanges. These include strengthening India–Japan educational dialogues, expanding MEXT’s inter-university exchange projects, and facilitating visits through programs like the Sakura Science Exchange (promoting female researcher participation), scholarships for Indian students, and newly launched platforms such as MIRAI-Setu, the LOTUS programme, and youth science exchanges.

Skilled Workers: SSW System and Technical Intern Training

The plan seeks to broaden opportunities for Indian skilled workers under Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) frameworks. Measures include expanding testing centres across India for skill and language exams, offering pre-departure language training via the Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana, and creating a dedicated India–Japan corridor on the National Career Service platform for streamlined recruitment.

Boosting Skills with Japanese Expertise

India aims to leverage Japan’s managerial and industrial prowess to upskill its workforce through joint training schemes like INPACT (India-Nippon Programme for Applied Competency Training), the India–Japan Talent Bridge initiative, and state-led programmes via the NSDC. Additionally, Centres of Excellence in Yoga and Ayurveda will be established in Japan to promote traditional wellness practices, especially in geriatric care.

Expanding Japanese Language Capabilities

To support these exchanges, both countries will promote practical Japanese language education in India, subsidize language training, train more language teachers, scale the Teachers’ Training Course by the Japan Foundation, deploy Japanese language partners via the NIHONGO Partners initiative, and increase the availability of JLPT and JFT-Basic testing centres across India.

Ongoing Awareness and Coordination

Sustained efforts will ensure the plan evolves organically beyond its five-year horizon. Activities include job fairs, social media outreach, targeted advertising, employer-employee matchmaking in Japanese prefectures, orientation support upon arrival, grievance mechanisms, an information portal, symposiums, and talent exchange aligned with state–prefecture partnerships.

Institutional Oversight and Next Steps

The Ministry of External Affairs (India) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan) will jointly oversee the plan’s implementation and hold annual high-level consultations. Existing dialogues in education, skills, science & technology, and digital economy will reinforce coordination and support further collaboration.

India and Japan adopt Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation to boost defence, maritime, cyber, and space cooperation across Indo-Pacific

OpIndia Staff
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India and Japan adopt Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation to boost defence, maritime, cyber, and space cooperation across Indo-Pacific

India and Japan have elevated their strategic partnership by adopting a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, reinforcing a shared vision for a free, open, peaceful, and economically vibrant Indo-Pacific region grounded in the rule of law. The Joint Declaration was issued during PM Modi’s ongoing visit of Japan to attend the 15th Annual India-Japan summit.

Recalling the foundations of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership, both governments acknowledged the vital role their enhanced collaboration plays in safeguarding a rules-based international order.

Against a backdrop of evolving regional dynamics and growing global challenges, the two sides emphasized the alignment of their strategic outlooks and pledged to strengthen practical cooperation in defence and security, drawing on their complementary resources and technological strengths.

Strengthening Defence Preparedness and Interoperability

India and Japan expressed commitment to fostering deeper synergy and interoperability between their armed forces. This includes conducting increasingly complex bilateral exercises, reciprocal participation in multilateral drills, and exploring a formal comprehensive dialogue framework between their Joint Staffs. Plans were also laid out for tri-service exercises geared toward humanitarian and disaster relief operations, cooperation between special operations units, and enhanced logistical support through existing agreements.

Further commitments include collaboration in niche areas such as counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, cyber defence, chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) threat mitigation, and shared maintenance facilities to boost readiness and resilience.

Advancing Maritime Security Across the Indo-Pacific

Recognizing the importance of maritime stability, both nations plan to increase port visits by naval and coast guard vessels and enhance maritime domain awareness through shared platforms such as the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) and the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). They also intend to coordinate to counter piracy and transnational crime, working through regional mechanisms like ReCAAP, and expand collaborations on disaster risk reduction in the maritime domain.

Fostering Industrial and Technological Collaboration

The declaration encourages robust industrial engagement in defence and security sectors through the Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation framework. Initiatives include co-development and co-production of defence systems, industry exposure visits focused on start-ups and MSMEs, and mutual understanding of export controls to enable high-end technology exchange. Cooperation will also extend to military medicine, health security, defence R&D (notably between DRDO and Japan’s ATLA), and collaboration on critical minerals—including exploration, processing, and refining.

Responding to Emerging Security Threats

India and Japan pledged to preempt and address both traditional and non-traditional threats, including terrorism, digital securities, unmanned systems, and transnational crime. This includes bolstering intelligence sharing and launching joint R&D in cutting-edge fields such as AI, robotics, quantum technologies, semiconductors, future networks, biotechnology, and cybersecurity. Expanding space cooperation—ranging from navigation and earth observation to space situational awareness and debris tracking—also features prominently in the declaration.

Coordinating Regional and Global Security Postures

The two countries reaffirmed commitments to multilateralism and regional stability. They pledged to support ASEAN centrality and frameworks like the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, promote sustainable infrastructure in the region, oppose coercive actions, and uphold maritime freedoms under international law. Strengthening cooperation within the Quad, reforming the United Nations Security Council with mutual support, combating terrorism, and pursuing non-proliferation efforts—including India’s entry into the NSG—are also key priorities.

Institutionalizing Strategic Dialogue and Consultation

To ensure robust follow-through, the declaration calls for reinforcing existing dialogue mechanisms. These include annual National Security Adviser consultations, Economic Security dialogues, high-level cross-services meetings between armed forces, coast guard commandant meetings, a rejuvenated India-Japan Defence Industry Forum, and track 1.5 think-tank exchanges.

The Joint Declaration marks a defining moment in India-Japan relations, reflecting a maturing strategic partnership extended from diplomatic goodwill to concrete, future-ready security collaboration. By addressing multifaceted threats, from maritime vulnerabilities to technological risks, and institutionalising high-level coordination, both nations have charted a robust course for enduring regional stability.

India’s economy, called ‘dead’ by Donald Trump, grows faster, GDP growth rate for first quarter of the financial year 2025-26 surges to 7.8%

Shraddha Pandey
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India’s economy, called ‘dead’ by Donald Trump, grows faster, GDP growth rate for first quarter of the financial year 2025-26 surges to 7.8%

A few weeks back, US President Donald Trump disgruntled over India’s Russian crude oil purchases had called Indian economy a “dead economy”. Trump slapped 50 percent tariff on India as ‘punishment’, only for India to casually drop a 7.8 percent GDP growth rate for Q1. India’s ‘dead economy’ outpaced every major economy including the US.

Apparently, Trump ‘dead economy’ jab is as rooted in reality as his claims of ending Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours of becoming President.

On Friday (29th August), the Central government revealed that India’s real GDP has been estimated to grow by 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter of the financial year 2025-26, over the growth rate of 6.5 per cent in the same quarter of the previous fiscal.

The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), has released the Quarterly Estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the April-June Quarter of financial year 2025-26. India’s nominal GDP grew at an 8.8 per cent rate during the April-June quarter.

The Agriculture and Allied Sector has observed the Real GVA (gross value addition) growth rate of 3.7 per cent, as compared to the growth rate of 1.5 per cent registered in Q1 of the last financial year. Secondary Sectors, prominently Manufacturing (7.7 per cent) and Construction (7.6 per cent) sector have registered above 7.5 per cent growth rate at Constant Prices in this quarter.

Mining and Quarrying (-3.1 per cent) and Electricity, Gas, Water Supply and Other Utility Services Sector (0.5 per cent) have seen a moderated real growth rate during Q1 of 2025-26. In 2024-25, the Indian economy grew by 6.5 per cent in real terms. The Reserve Bank of India had projected 6.5 per cent GDP growth for the fiscal year 2024-25. In 2023-24, India’s GDP grew by an impressive 9.2 per cent, continuing to be the fastest-growing major economy. According to official data, the economy grew 8.7 per cent and 7.2 percent, respectively, in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Earlier this year, the World Bank said India will need to grow by 7.8 per cent on average over the next 22 years to achieve its aspirations of becoming a developed country by 2047. However, the World Bank asserted that getting there would require reforms and their implementation to be as ambitious as the target itself.

Notably, India is contributing about 18 percent to world’s economic growth while the US’s contribution is estimated to be around 11 percent.  

According to the latest report by Morgan Stanley’s Global Investment Committee, India is expected to remain the fastest-growing economy in its global coverage. The report forecasts India’s real GDP growth at 5.9% in 2025 and 6.4% in 2026, far ahead of the US (1.0%) and China (4.0%).

“India remains the fastest growing economy in our coverage,” the committee noted, highlighting the country’s robust domestic demand, structural reforms, and investment momentum. In fact, while the global economy is projected to slow down, from 3.5% in 2024 to just 2.5% in 2025, India is expected to outperform significantly.

India’s economy is so ‘dead’ that the United Kingdom recently signed a massive Free Trade Agreement with India and the European Union is eager to propose an FTA matching the same scale. India’s economy is so dead that Japan is set to invest 10 trillion Yen in the next 10 years. Major US companies, including Apple, despite Trump’s threats, have invested billions in India and are keen on expanding presence here. The EFTA countries too are pursuing lucrative trade deals with India given its growing economic clout. While India is a priority for such global trade engagement, Trump believes India’s economy is dead.

Frustration over India’s refusal to surrender its sovereignty before the US, or outright delusion, but Donald Trump’s removed-from-reality ‘dead economy’ jibe against India has not aged well. The so-called dead economy has surpassed Japan to become a $4 trillion and world’s fourth largest economy in 2025 and is set to become third-largest economy by 2028, overtaking Germany.

Going by the unhinged rants Trump administration officials have unleashed against India, it won’t be surprising if Peter Navarro, Trump’s trade adviser, will somehow attribute India’s 7.8 per cent growth rate to New Delhi’s Russian oil purchases.

India and Japan unveil decade-long vision during PM Modi’s visit, wide-ranging pacts on defence, digital, clean energy, and space cooperation signed: Read full list of outcomes

OpIndia Staff
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India and Japan unveil decade-long vision during PM Modi’s visit, wide-ranging pacts on defence, digital, clean energy, and space cooperation signed: Read full list of outcomes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Japan on Friday for a 2-day visit on the invitation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for the 15th Annual India-Japan summit. As part of his tour, the two nations unveiled a comprehensive slate of agreements and declarations aimed at charting a roadmap across economic, security, technological, cultural, and environmental spheres.

The Prime Minister’s Office has issued a press release detailing the list of outcomes achieved during the talks between the two nations. Here is the list of key Outcomes:

1. India–Japan Joint Vision for the Next Decade

A shared 10-year strategic vision was adopted, encompassing eight core pillars: economic partnership, economic security, mobility, ecological sustainability, technology and innovation, health, people-to-people ties, and state–prefecture engagement

2. Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation

This broad-ranging declaration establishes a framework to enhance defense and security collaboration, aligning with the two countries’ Special Strategic and Global Partnership status

3. Action Plan for Human Resource Exchange

A pioneering plan was unveiled to facilitate the exchange of 500,000 people over the next five years—specifically targeting the movement of 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled Indian workers to Japan

4. Memorandum of Cooperation: Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)

The JCM aims to support India’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals by promoting the adoption of decarbonizing technologies and facilitating Japanese investment in sustainable infrastructure

5. MoU on India–Japan Digital Partnership 2.0

This memorandum focuses on enhancing collaboration in digital public infrastructure, nurturing digital talent, and joint R&D in burgeoning tech domains such as AI, IoT, and semiconductors

6. Memorandum of Cooperation in Mineral Resources

To boost supply chain resilience, this agreement covers cooperation in processing technologies, joint investments in exploration and mining, and strategic stockpiling of critical minerals

7. ISRO–JAXA Implementing Arrangement for Joint Lunar Polar Mission

This arrangement between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) lays the groundwork for the collaborative Chandrayaan 5 mission, marking a landmark space cooperation

8. Joint Declaration of Intent on Clean Hydrogen and Ammonia

The two nations committed to advancing research, investment, and deployment of hydrogen and ammonia technologies, promoting innovation in clean energy

9. Memorandum of Cooperation on Cultural Exchange

This initiative seeks to deepen institutional cooperation, facilitate researcher and scientist exchanges, and involve start-ups and industries in cultural and scientific collaboration

Additional Strategic Launches and Targets

Private Investment Target

Japan has committed to mobilizing private investment amounting to JPY 10 trillion in India over the coming decade

Economic Security Initiative

A new initiative targeting supply chain resilience across strategic sectors—semiconductors, clean energy, telecom, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and emerging technologies—was launched, accompanied by an illustrative Economic Security Fact Sheet

India–Japan AI Initiative

Both nations introduced an ambitious AI Initiative, oriented toward collaboration on large language models, training, capacity-building, and support for businesses and start-ups to bolster a trustworthy AI ecosystem

Next-Generation Mobility Partnership

A collaborative venture aimed at fostering government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business (B2B) partnerships in infrastructure and mobility—covering railways, aviation, roads, shipping, and ports—with particular emphasis on Make-in-India development of mobility solutions

India–Japan SMEs Forum

A forum was inaugurated to promote collaboration between India’s and Japan’s small and medium enterprises—key drivers of both economies

Sustainable Fuel Initiative

An initiative dedicated to advancing energy security, supporting farmer livelihoods, and facilitating R&D in sustainable fuels like biogas and biofuels was launched

Subnational and Business Exchanges

High-level exchanges between states and prefectures are scheduled—three reciprocating visits each—as part of enhanced subnational diplomacy

Additionally, business forums aimed at strengthening commercial, cultural, and people-to-people ties were established between India and Japan’s Kansai and Kyushu regions

Outlook

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Japan marks a significant deepening of the bilateral relationship, moving beyond traditional diplomacy into strategic, technological, and grassroots cooperation. Through landmark agreements and ambitious initiatives, both nations are setting the stage for a decade of shared growth, innovation, and resilience.

PM Modi invites Japanese companies to invest heavily in India: Read how he has maintained good relations with Japan since his days as Gujarat CM

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi invites Japanese companies to invest heavily in India: Read how he has maintained good relations with Japan since his days as Gujarat CM

Prime Minister Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Japan, invited the Japanese companies to invest in India. Speaking at the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum in Tokyo on Friday (29th August), PM Modi encouraged Japanese companies to “Come make in India, make for the world.” 

PM Modi’s visit to the country comes after Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba invited him to attend the economic forum. Underscoring the historical economic ties between India and Japan, PM Modi said that Japan’s excellence and India’s scale have the potential to create a perfect partnership.

“Together, we can make a significant contribution to the development of the Global South, especially Africa. I urge you – come, make in India, make for the world. The success stories of ‘Suzuki’ and ‘Daikin’ can become your success stories too,” said PM Modi. 

He highlighted how India and Japan have partnered across sectors ranging from “Metro (rail) to manufacturing and semiconductors to start-ups”, which underlines the mutual trust between the two countries.

PM Modi proposed a five-point roadmap to strengthen and elevate the bilateral relations between India and Japan.

1) Manufacturing and New Industry: 

PM Modi said that the two countries can replicate their successful partnership in manufacturing and automotive sectors in batteries, robotics, semiconductors, shipbuilding, and nuclear energy. He stressed the significance of this partnership for the development of the Global South, including Africa.

2) Technology and Innovation:  

He added that Japan’s “technology powerhouse” and India’s “talent powerhouse” together can establish the two countries as leaders of the tech revolution of the century. He pointed out that India has already started moving in this direction by stepping into AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, biotechnology, and space.  

3) Green Energy Transition:  

The Prime Minister urged Japan to join India in laying the foundation of a clean and green future through a joint credit mechanism. “India is progressing rapidly toward achieving 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047. There are immense opportunities in solar, green hydrogen, and clean energy,” the PM said.

4) Next-Generation Infrastructure:  

PM Modi encouraged the two countries to partner in creating next-generation infrastructure. He appreciated how India constructed over 1000 km of metro lines in the last decade and enhanced road and rail connectivity with Japan’s cooperation.

5) Skill Development and People-to-People Ties: 

Lastly, PM Modi asserted Japan could benefit from India’s demography. He said that Japan could train India’s talented youth in the local language and make use of their potential to enhance Japanese manpower.

Close cultural and political ties between India and Japan

The ties between India and Japan date back to the 6th century, when Buddhism, which originated in India, made its way into Japan.

When Japan was recovering from WWII, in 1949, India’s then Prime Minister gifted an elephant to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, setting the tone for warm and cordial relations between the two countries.

This was followed by a peace treaty signed on 28th April, 1952, between India and Japan to establish diplomatic relations. After WWII, this was one of the first peace treaties signed by Japan.

Fast forward to 2000, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori’s visit to India and his meeting with the Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee set the stage for “Global Partnership between Japan and India”.

Thereafter, following Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi’s visit to India in 2005, the two countries have been holding regular Annual Summits. With Indian PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Japan in 2006, the India-Japan relationship was elevated to the “Global and Strategic Partnership”.

In 2014, during his first term as the Prime Minister, PM Modi visited Japan for the Annual Summit meeting with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. After their meeting, the India-Japan partnership was upgraded to “Special Strategic and Global Partnership.”

Subsequently, PM Shinzo Abe met PM Modi in India, and the two leaders resolved to further deepen, strengthen and expand the bilateral ties between the two countries.

With this aim, they announced “Japan and India Vision 2025 Special Strategic and Global Partnership Working Together for Peace and Prosperity of the Indo-Pacific Region and the World” and laid the groundwork for the new-age India-Japan relations.

PM Modi’s old ties with Japan

Prime Minister Modi’s connection with Japan dates back to 2007, when he made his first official visit to Japan as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Modi, accompanied by a 40-member delegation, visited the cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima and Kobe during a six-day trip.

He met with major Japanese companies, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Marubeni, Suzuki, Toshiba, Nippon Steel, Nissan Steel, Unido and Tsuneshi Shipbuilding.

MoUs were signed between the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Gujarat’s Industries Department, encompassing areas like ports, logistics, infrastructure and human resource development.

During the visit, Modi also had a meeting with PM Abe, with whom PM Modi went on to share close personal ties.

The depth of their relationship could be inferred from the fact that PM Modi was the first foreign politician to be invited by PM Shinzo Abe to his holiday home in Narsawa village in October 2018.

Welcoming Modi to his holiday home, Abe said that Modi was “one of my most dependable and valuable friends”.

The India-Japan relations have stood the test of time and have been on a path to progress.

Recently, the previous Prime Minister of Japan, PM Kishida, launched the Clean Energy Partnership, extended the Industrial Competitiveness Partnership with India and pledged $42 billion investment in India in 2022.

India-Japan economic ties

India and Japan have developed robust economic ties over the years, which have expanded and flourished with time. In 2021, Japan was the 13th largest trading partner of India.

In the same year, the number of private companies having branches in India stood at 1439. In 2023-24, bilateral trade between India and Japan reached $22.8 billion.

India’s exports to Japan include chemicals, vehicles, aluminium, and seafood; imports include machinery, steel, copper, and reactors. With $43.2 billion cumulative investment till December 2024, Japan became India’s 5th largest investor.

Japan has ranked India as its most promising long-term investment destination. Around 5000 Japanese establishments operate in India, and over 100 Indian companies have a presence in Japan.

The two Asian powers are looking to expand their cooperation in the digital sector, clean energy, supply chain resilience, industrial competitiveness, and skill development.

The two countries are expected to launch a security initiative centred on semiconductors, critical minerals, AI, telecommunications and clean energy.

Japanese public and private investments in India, which have achieved the set target of 5 trillion yen, are likely to be upscaled to 7-10 trillion yen.

Since 1958, Japan has been the largest Official Development Assistance (ODA) donor to India. Through ODA, the country has been supporting critical infrastructure and human development projects in India.

In 2023-24, Japan’s ODA to India amounted to $4.5 billion. Delhi Metro is an example of the successful utilisation of the Japanese ODA.

Japan is also partnering with India in building a High-Speed Railway in India by introducing Japan’s Shinkansen System, a flagship project of Japan-India relations.

India-Japan defence cooperation

In 2008, during PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Japan, the two countries issued “the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between Japan and India”.

The defence cooperation between the two countries encompasses several frameworks of security and defence dialogue, including the Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting (“2+2” meeting), Annual Defence Ministerial Dialogue and Coast Guard-to-Coast Guard dialogue.

In 2020, the Indian and Japanese governments signed an agreement called the Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services Agreement (also called Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement), concerning the reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the Japanese Self-Defence Forces and the Indian Armed Forces.

The agreement came into force on July 11, 2021. Some other key defence agreements between the two countries are the Defence Cooperation and Exchanges MoU (2014), and the Information Protection Agreement (2015).

India and Japan take part in various regular joint military exercises, including Malabar (with the US and Australia), Milan (multilateral naval), JIMEX (bilateral maritime), Dharma Guardian (Army), and Coast Guard cooperation.

Regional cooperation between both countries

At the global level, India and Japan have been cooperating through multilateral platforms like the Quad, the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI).

Through Quad, India and Japan have been working towards their commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and to counter the Chinese influence in the region.

India-Japan ties in the context of recent US tariffs

PM Modi’s visit to Japan comes two days after the US doubled its punitive tariffs on India, undermining the trade relations between the two countries. The Trump administration doubled tariffs on India, from 25% to 50% for buying Russian oil.
Japan is also facing punitive tariffs from the US.

Notably, Japan’s trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa cancelled a visit to the US a day before PM Modi’s visit to Japan. The visit was intended to formalise a $550 billion investment package offered by Japan to the US to ease punitive US tariffs.

Amid the trade uncertainties faced by the two countries because of the US tariffs, India and Japan are working towards strengthening and enhancing their economic cooperation. A stronger India-Japan cooperation will significantly contribute to regional as well as individual stability.

Ahmedabad Hindu student murder case: Victim’s family demands action against church-operated school, says disturbing incidents have been taking place at the Seventh Day School

OpIndia Staff
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Ahmedabad Hindu student murder case: Victim’s family demands action against church-operated school, says disturbing incidents have been taking place at the Seventh Day School

On 19th August, a Hindu student was murdered by a Muslim junior at the Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad. The incident sparked a massive outrage and the accused Muslim student was arrested. The victim’s family have approached all available forums to file application seeking action against Seventh Day School.

Along with the parents of the deceased student, members of the ‘Jan Akrosh Wali Mandal Sangharsh Samiti’ have filed an application with the Ahmedabad DEO, Mayor, Standing Committee and AMC Commissioner demanding strict action against the school. The victim’s family has said that this application has been filed so that such an incident does not happen in any other school. 

This application was filed on 28th August 2025. OpIndia has accessed a copy of the application submitted to the Mayor and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. It states that that disturbing incidents have been taking place at the Seventh Day School after the AMC gave government land on lease. Along with this, allegations of Christian conversion have also been made. The application demands that this lease should be cancelled immediately and the illegal property should be bulldozed. 

In addition, the application submitted to the DEO has also demanded that the school’s recognition be cancelled immediately and that the school be taken over by the government. It has further been alleged that many criminal activities were going on in the school in the past, but the school had not taken any action in this regard. It has also been claimed that a complaint was also made to the school administration that some students were carrying weapons in the school. However, no action could be taken in that direction either.   

During the conversation with the officials, the parents of the deceased student described their son as ‘heroic’ and demanded that appropriate action should be taken to ensure that this does not happen to other students.

The deceased’s father, while making a representation to the AMC Commissioner, said that his son’s soul will be able to find peace only when appropriate action is taken against the school. The parents, while making the representation, said, “AMC should take appropriate action and set an example so that no other such student has to sacrifice himself.” Meanwhile, the student’s mother also demanded action to bring the officer to justice.

‘Hope for appropriate action’ – Mother of deceased Hindu student

Speaking to OpIndia, the chairman of the ‘Jan Aakrosh Wali Mandal Sangharsh Samiti’ said that a complaint has been filed with the DEO, Mayor and AMC Commissioner following the brutal murder of a Hindu student. Regarding this incident, it has been demanded that the recognition of the Seventh Day School be cancelled due to negligence and the lease of the AMC should also be cancelled. He has alleged that the conditions under which the land was given on lease have been violated. He has also demanded that the government take over this school so that this does not happen to other children.

Meanwhile, the deceased Hindu boy’s mother told OpIndia that she has demanded cancellation of the school’s recognition and has also made a representation to the higher authorities in this regard. She said, “We have requested the authorities with folded hands to take appropriate action against this school.” She further said that so far, the response received from the authorities was satisfactory, however, there is a demand for speedy action in this matter. The deceased victim’s mother also said that she hopes that appropriate action will be taken.

As reported earlier, the Seventh Day School has a  controversial past. In 2016, the school was in the news after a teacher of the school mercilessly beat up a child studying in the 4th standard for merely talking to another student during an examination. It has also been alleged that the Moral Science syllabus in the school is designed to lure Hindu students to Christianity.

The school was again embroiled in a controversy in October 2024, after the school administration took around 200 students on a trip without permission from the District Education Office. The trip was in clear violation of government rules. This controversial school is run by a foreign church.

RCEP, Japan, and China: PM Modi’s Asia playbook to safeguard Indian interests against Donald Trump’s tariffs over Russian oil purchase

Divyansh Tiwari
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RCEP, Japan, and China: PM Modi’s Asia playbook to safeguard Indian interests against Donald Trump’s tariffs over Russian oil purchase

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s back-to-back visits to Japan and China come at a critical time for the global economy. Washington establishment under Donald Trump’s presidency is getting apoplectic as India tests a cautious thaw with Beijing and strengthens supply linkages with Japan.

In the recent outbursts of Peter Navarro, senior counselor for trade and manufacturing to Trump, he has been accusing India of supporting Russia’s war. He even dubbed Russia-Ukraine war as “Modi’s war,” and tried to explain the 50% tariff shock while publishing a photo of Modi in saffron to insinuate sectarian politics. The optics are unappealing, the economics are shoddy, and the plan is counterproductive. India is under no obligation to act as someone else’s proxy. It is developing an Asia-first economic map, with Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest trading bloc at the core and re-entry remaining a viable option if circumstances are favorable.

Japan: Partnership beyond optics

In Japan, Modi is prioritizing substance over symbolism. De-risking supply chains and securing long-term capital in India are the goals of the visit aiming for advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, essential minerals, high-speed rail, and defense industrial cooperation. In addition to Japan steadily investing in Indian capabilities, including ports, freight routes, urban transit, and now next-generation technology. Tokyo is also the only partner that supports India on the China problem.

“Make in India, Make for the World” was not merely a slogan when Modi made his pitch in Tokyo this week. It was a market invitation supported by demand, demographics, and policy changes. Japan serves as India’s industrial counterbalance, preserving the QUAD’s economic backbone and lowering its susceptibility to tariff wraths abroad.

In order to secure its growth trajectory, India should embrace the East Asian strategic geography and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), according to economist Jeffrey Sachs. Japanese FDI and co-production can lessen the impact of Washington’s harsh tariffs, particularly in industries where American companies are sluggishly sharing technology. India’s position in any future RCEP discussions is further strengthened by a more robust Indo-Japan production network.

China: Engagement without illusions

The China stop is practical compartmentalization, not surrender. While pursuing trade, investment, and market access victories that promote expansion and export volume, New Delhi can maintain a strict border and security stance. Because the scale of Asian demand is too great to ignore, the choreography is purposeful; it begins in Beijing and continues to intensify with Tokyo. Some people in Washington are uneasy about that because they want India to be permanently aligned against China. That won’t happen in India and it hasn’t. It favors bilateral connections for trade, SCO/BRICS for hedging, and issue-based coalitions like the Quad for security. In the short run, China will have impressive optics as Xi hosts Putin and Modi to portray a non-Western center of gravity.

What Washington gets wrong and why Navarro is the worst messenger

With the nuance of a sledgehammer, Peter Navarro has made a comeback to the public eye. He has defended 50% tariffs on Indian goods, referred to the conflict in Ukraine as “Modi’s war” in interviews and on X, accused India of operating a “laundromat” for Russian oil through refined products, and, tellingly, ended his thread with a picture of Modi wearing saffron, suggesting that India’s policies are motivated more by sectarian nationalism than by pragmatic economics. That is crass, reductionist politics posing as strategy.

Unpacking the errors by Navarro

  1. Energy security is not Warmongering – After 2022, India increased its purchase of Russian crude to maintain price stability and inflation management. That decision is motivated by consumer welfare and grid dependability, not geopolitical allegiance. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, G-7 implemented a $60-per-barrel price cap to reduce the Kremlin’s oil revenue while assuring global supply. India’s capacity to purchase cheaper cargoes was a component of that process, US officials admitted.
  2. Tarriff blackmail doesn’t build alliances – A domestic base may be appeased by imposing a 50% tariff and taunting India on TV/X, but doing so reduces U.S. power, forces India to increase its efforts in Asian markets, and increases the appeal of Japan-India and RCEP-plus options.
  3. The saffron image is a tell – Ending a policy thread with an image of Modi in saffron is not analysis, it’s a dog whistle designed to portray India’s choices as sectarian. That is not how you communicate with a sovereign partner you claim to respect. It has sparked reaction across the Indian political spectrum.

In summary, Navarro’s strategy is both rhetorically and economically inflammatory. It seems that some people in Washington would prefer to penalize India rather than work with it on issues like price ceilings, rules of origin, or integrated energy management areas where real policy is made.

RCEP: The Asian trade engine

This brings us to the economic map’s center. RCEP 15 Asia-Pacific economies led by ASEAN, which include Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and China, account for about one-third of world GDP. India left the bargaining table in 2019 due to worries about Chinese dumping, rules-of-origin violations, and inadequate service access. These concerns were genuine. But the world has moved on.

The RCEP came into effect in 2022, and its tariff phase-downs and cumulation procedures are already reshaping Asian supply chains. With fresh US tariffs in place, Delhi is openly reconsidering whether a guarded re-entry is better for Indian exporters than staying out.

India famously withdrew from the 2019 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) talks, saying that it was concerned that low-cost imports, especially from China, would overtake homegrown industries and cause disproportionate harm to vulnerable sectors like dairy and agriculture. India’s primary concerns were not addressed, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained steadfast. The country’s farmers, micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, and dairy industry were helped with the decision to not join RCEP.

Meanwhile, Japan, Korea, and ASEAN members are already benefiting from expanding RCEP preferences and cumulation among themselves, leaving India vulnerable to trade diversion if it continues to be outside the pact.

Potential re-entry does not necessarily imply “open borders” liberalization. It can be conditional integration, with snapback safeguards to protect sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy while utilizing the advantages of RCEP in supply chains, manufacturing, and technology. There can also be tough rules of origin to prevent Chinese trans-shipment via third countries.

At a time when Washington’s tariff rants threaten India’s exports, such a plan not only protects rural India but also enables New Delhi to optimize market access in Asia. In other words, India can protect its sovereignty and thwart American pressure by shielding farmers at home and merging industrial sectors outside.

When done well, RCEP is less of a capitulation and more of a tool for India to gain strategic economic scale while hedging risks by design, regardless of whether US goodwill follows.  

Why some sections in Washington are going mad against India

Remove the noise, and three distinct worries explain Washington’s outburst. The first is a loss of trade leverage, if India anchors supply chains with Japan and considers a cautious re-entry into RCEP, the US loses the tariff stick it used to win concessions, which explains the pressure tactics and exaggerated fury over India’s oil purchases. Second, the battle for narrative control, branding the Ukraine crisis as “Modi’s war” is an attempt to rewrite causation, shifting responsibility for a European conflict onto an Asian democracy practicing energy pragmatism inside a sanctions regime established by the West itself.  

Third, there is concern that an Asia-centric order may emerge without Washington at the helm. Xi Jinping hosts both Putin and Modi, and Tokyo and Delhi strengthen industrial links, a non-Western geometry emerges which the US must learn to navigate rather than dictate. Tariffs and insults are a bad place to start.     

Conclusion

China’s vast theater and Tokyo’s boardrooms, Modi’s twin visits, show a self-assured India laying out its own economic routes and security measures. In that scenario, RCEP is a platform that India can influence if the conditions benefit its producers and consumers rather than a sign of surrender. The United States has two options: either accept India’s reality or lash out against it on X threads and on TV channels. Peter Navarro opted for the latter, slipping into satire with saffron imagery and catchphrases that dissolve under scrutiny. India does not have to give a reciprocal response. It needs to keep pushing Make in India, trade with Asia, and deal with America on equal terms. India’s eventual independence is the reason why some elements of Washington are “going mad.”

PM Modi presented Daruma Doll in Japan: Read what is the doll, its significance in Japanese culture, and its connection to India through Bodhidharma

Raju Das
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PM Modi presented Daruma Doll in Japan: Read what is the doll, its significance in Japanese culture, and its connection to India through Bodhidharma

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing visit to Japan, he was gifted a Daruma Doll, a symbolic gift deeply rooted in Japanese culture and history. The doll was presented to him by Rev Seishi Hirose, the Chief Priest of the Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple in Takasaki. The Daruma Doll, a simple looking round figurine, carries profound meaning in Japan and also has a unique connection to India.

The Daruma Doll, also known as “Dharma Doll,” represents Bodhidharma, the Indian Buddhist monk who travelled to China around the 5th or 6th century CE and founded the Zen school of Buddhism. Bodhidharma is known in Japan as Daruma Daishi. Over centuries, Bodhidharma became an iconic figure in East Asia, associated with meditation, resilience, and determination. In Japan, his story inspired the creation of the Daruma Doll, which embodies the spirit of never giving up.

The handmade doll itself is usually round, hollow, and weighted at the bottom with a round base so that it always returns to an upright position even if pushed over. This feature symbolizes the Japanese proverb “Nanakorobi yaoki” (fall down seven times, get up eight), a reminder of perseverance and bouncing back from setbacks.

Daruma Dolls are made of paper mache, and are traditionally coloured red. The letter Fukuiri is written at the bottom, which means here is happiness in it. The eyebrows represent a crane and the beard represents a turtle’s tail. There is a Japanese saying that cranes live 1000 years and turtles live 10000 years, and they are regularly used as symbols of celebration.

They are known as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, and are often used to represent setting and achieving goals. Traditionally, the doll has blank eyes. When someone sets a goal, they paint one eye black, and once the goal is achieved, they fill in the other eye, completing the doll’s vision and marking the fulfilment of determination.

At the end of the year, all the Daruma dolls are brought back to the temple they were purchased from. The returned dolls are burned in a traditional burning ceremony, called the daruma kuyō. This ceremony is generally held right after New Year’s Day. People then buy new Daruma dolls at the temple to be used in the new year.

Daruma dolls at a shop

The Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple in Takasaki, where the doll originated, is the most famous centre of Daruma-making in Japan. The temple holds annual fairs where people buy new dolls, set fresh goals for the year, and return old dolls for ceremonial burning, symbolizing closure and renewal.

While the dolls are traditionally bought at the start of the new year and returned at the end of the year, they are available for purchase throughout the year. Moreover, people may keep them, instead of returning to a temple for ceremonial burning. Companies and political parties in Japan also buy the dolls to achieve desired goals.

Ceremonial burning of lucky Daruma Dolla

The Indian connection to the Daruma Doll lies in its very origin, the figure of Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma was a monk from southern India, often linked with the Kancheepuram region. His journey across Asia not only shaped the practice of Zen Buddhism but also influenced martial traditions like Shaolin Kung Fu in China.

As per legend, Bodhidharma lost his limbs by performing the Zen meditation Zazen for nine years. To represent this, Daruma dolls were made without limbs.

In Japan, his austere life of meditation and endurance became the foundation of the Daruma legend. Thus, while the doll is a quintessentially Japanese cultural object, its spiritual roots trace back to India.

For India, receiving the Daruma Doll during Modi’s visit is more than a ceremonial gesture. It symbolizes the deep cultural bonds shared between India and Japan through the legacy of Buddhism

In essence, the Daruma Doll is far more than a decorative artifact or a religious symbol. It is a centuries-old reminder of how Indian philosophy travelled abroad, adapted into new traditions, and continues to inspire millions with its message of unwavering determination.

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