Last Updated on January 17, 2026 11:34 am by BIZNAMA NEWS
Staff Reporter
India and Japan have agreed to set up a Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said, underscoring that defence cooperation remains important for both countries.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the issue was discussed during talks between the foreign ministers of India and Japan. He noted that External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasised that the bilateral partnership has the potential to help de-risk the global economy.
Mr. Jaiswal said India is keen to further strengthen ties with Japan and that several projects are currently under consideration. He added that the Japanese Foreign Minister is on a three-day visit to India.
The MEA said that under the Economic Security Initiative, India and Japan will organise private sector dialogues to enhance public–private cooperation in the field of economic security. To accelerate cooperation in artificial intelligence, both sides have launched an AI Dialogue led by their respective foreign ministries.
In addition, to deepen cooperation on rare earth elements and critical minerals, both countries have decided to establish a Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals in early 2026, marking a new initiative.
Mr. Jaiswal further said that the Japanese Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister and later participated in the 18th India–Japan Strategic Dialogue with the External Affairs Minister. During the discussions, both leaders reviewed the multi-dimensional bilateral relationship, including supply chain resilience in critical sectors, investment, trade, technology, innovation, defence cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural ties.
The External Affairs Ministry has also said that India is keeping a close eye on the prevailing situation in Iran. During a media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is committed to taking whatever steps are required in the interest of the Indian citizens living in that country.
He said around nine thousand citizens, mostly students, are currently living in Iran. Mr Jaiswal said that in recent days, considering the situation in Iran, MEA has issued few advisories suggesting Indians avoid visiting Iran and also those in Iran are advised to return.
On the Chabahar port, Mr Jaiswal said, on 28 October last year, the US Department of the Treasury had issued a letter outlining the guidance on the conditional sanctions waiver, which is valid till 26th April this year. He said India remains engaged with the US side in working out this arrangement.
Regarding Myanmar polls, the MEA spokesperson said, India expects that there should be inclusive and fair elections in which all stakeholders participate.
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