India and Japan are currently holding the presidencies of the G20 and G7 respectively
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi's praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "valuable inputs" that contributed to the success of the G7 Summit held in Hiroshima on June 28, 2023, is a strong reaffirmation of the growing India-Japan synergy when it comes to addressing global as well as regional priorities.

The G7 Summit brought together the leaders of the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. India was invited as a guest nation. The summit focused on reinforcing international cooperation to address pressing global challenges, including food, development, health, energy, climate change, and the environment.

Speaking at the India-Japan Forum in New Delhi on Friday (July 28, 2023), Foreign Minister Hayashi expressed his government's appreciation to Prime Minister Modi for the "valuable inputs for the success of the Hiroshima Summit". He went on to refer to India's ongoing G20 Presidency, and said that Japan supports India's various initiatives.

Prime Minister Modi actively engaged with the participating leaders, sharing insights on a range of critical issues spanning climate change, pandemic recovery, economic growth, and regional security. One of the key inputs highlighted by Prime Minister Modi was the concept of LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which aims to encourage the adoption of sustainable lifestyles in India and internationally to tackle the challenges of environmental degradation and climate change. Japan has extended its support to the LiFE initiative, and it is expected to be anchored in the G20's agenda under India's presidency

During the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Modi also emphasized the importance of giving a chance to the Global South to raise their voices at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in March. This meeting was held under India's presidency of the G20, which aims to address issues of common concern for the Global South, such as securing funding mechanisms for critical physical and digital infrastructure.

Foreign Minister Hayashi highlighted that 2023 is a crucial year as both India and Japan hold presidencies of the G20 and G7, respectively. Japan, as the G7 Presidency, emphasized the strengthening of engagement with the so-called Global South at the G7 Hiroshima Summit this year. Hayashi also elaborated on the importance of food security, which is a major concern for the Global South. During the Ministerial Conference 'Uniting for Global Food Security,' many ministers noted with concern that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is leading to deteriorating food security.

The "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP) is a strategic concept and vision for the region that aims to promote stability, economic prosperity, and respect for international law and norms. It is a collaborative effort between Japan and India, among other like-minded countries, to ensure a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.

In March of this year, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made a significant announcement regarding Japan's new FOIP plan during his visit to New Delhi. The move is a reflection of Japan's strong emphasis on India, recognizing the nation as an indispensable partner in the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).

Additionally, Japan has furthered its support for the development of India's North Eastern Region through the establishment of the 'Japan-India Act East Forum.'

Foreign Minister Hayashi informed that Japan intends to materialize the concept of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" or FOIP, in coordination with India. "The driving force behind the advancement of our security and defense cooperation has been the high-level exchanges," stated the Japanese Foreign Minister. He highlighted the joint military exercises conducted on land, sea, and air, including the historic inaugural joint fighter exercise held in January.

In a bid to enhance tourism, Japan has officially designated this year, 2023, as the 'Japan-India tourism exchange year,' as announced by the Foreign Minister.

Regarding the United Nations Security Council reform, Foreign Minister Hayashi emphasized that India is a vital partner for Japan. Both countries have been working closely together as G4 members, united in their efforts to achieve tangible outcomes in the reform process.

"We have been actively encouraging Japanese companies to expand their investments in India," stated the Japanese Foreign Minister. He highlighted Prime Minister Kishida's ambitious target of achieving 5 trillion yen in public and private investment and financing from Japan to India over the next five years starting from 2022. Additionally, the Foreign Minister emphasized the collaborative effort with the Indian government to address any challenges that Japanese companies may encounter in the Indian market.

The Japanese Foreign Minister expressed optimism about the future of economic cooperation between Japan and India. He acknowledged Prime Minister Modi's strong focus on economic growth, evident in various initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, and Clean India.

The Japanese government has taken measures to promote investment in India, with Prime Minister Modi identifying 15 key sectors, including telecommunications equipment, automobiles, and applied chemical batteries, eligible for subsidies. As a result, Japanese investment has notably surged in critical technological areas like medical equipment, electronics, and household electric appliances.

Regarding the flagship high-speed rail project between Japan and India, the Foreign Minister highlighted its significance. The Japanese Bullet Train project will connect Mumbai to Ahmedabad, spanning a distance of approximately 500 kilometers. The project is expected to not only enhance transportation efficiency but also stimulate economic development in the regions along the high-speed rail route.