New Delhi and Tokyo announce comprehensive AI partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi unveiled a joint AI roadmap during the India-Japan Summit in New Delhi on 2 July 2026. The partnership spans GPUs, data centres, semiconductors, AI safety, and resilient supply chains, marking a major push for tech sovereignty.
Key areas of cooperation
The roadmap includes collaboration on large language models (LLMs), data centre infrastructure, semiconductor supply chains, and AI safety frameworks. Both leaders emphasised the need to reduce dependence on single sources for critical technologies. According to a joint statement, the partnership aims to "build trusted and resilient supply chains for semiconductors and AI hardware."
Expanding AI cooperation to the Global South
India and Japan plan to extend AI cooperation across the Indo-Pacific and the Global South. This includes capacity building, knowledge sharing, and joint research initiatives. "Our collaboration will not only benefit our two nations but also contribute to the global AI ecosystem," said Prime Minister Modi during the summit.
Focus on AI safety and governance
A key component of the roadmap is AI safety and governance. Both countries agreed to establish a bilateral working group on AI safety, drawing on best practices from the Hiroshima AI Process. The working group will develop guidelines for trustworthy AI, including transparency, accountability, and risk management.
Semiconductor and GPU supply chains
The leaders discussed joint investments in semiconductor fabrication and GPU manufacturing. Japan's expertise in advanced chipmaking and India's design capabilities will be leveraged to create a robust supply chain. "This partnership will accelerate our semiconductor ecosystem and reduce vulnerability to disruptions," Takaichi stated.
Data centres and digital infrastructure
India and Japan will collaborate on building sustainable data centres, including initiatives for green energy and cooling technologies. The roadmap also includes cooperation on 5G/6G networks, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. Both sides agreed to promote interoperability and open standards.
Next steps and implementation
A joint task force will be formed to monitor implementation and identify new areas of collaboration. The first meeting is scheduled for September 2026. The roadmap is expected to unlock significant private sector investments, with estimates suggesting over $10 billion in joint projects over the next five years.
