![\"India,](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-132117563,imgsize-947315,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/india-japan-lng-deal.jpg\" "\\"File")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIndia and Japan are set to sign an agreement to strengthen liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply security amid ongoing global supply chain disruptions, with the pact expected to be concluded during Thursday\u2019s annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.The two countries are considering setting up a joint task force to coordinate LNG stockpiling, improve energy security cooperation and promote information-sharing between their governments, people familiar with the matter said, as quoted by ET.The creation of the task force is expected to be included in the joint statement issued after the summit.The move comes as both countries look to prepare for possible future disruptions in global energy markets. India remains heavily dependent on West Asia for LNG supplies, while Japan sources around 10 per cent of its LNG imports from the region.<\/p>\n Takaichi\u2019s three-day visit to India, beginning Wednesday, is expected to focus heavily on economic security and strengthening supply chains in key sectors.The summit is likely to result in agreements covering energy resilience, critical minerals, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.The two countries are expected to announce around a dozen government-level agreements and nearly 120 memoranda of understanding between private companies during the visit.A joint statement on AI cooperation and a declaration on economic security, including diversification of energy resources and decarbonisation efforts, are likely to be among the major outcomes.The leaders are also expected to discuss cooperation in areas such as critical mineral exploration, mobility, pharmaceuticals, biogas and upstream oil and gas development, according to diplomatic sources.Japan is also expected to highlight planned private-sector investments of around 10 trillion yen in India over the next decade during the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum, which will be attended by more than 100 Japanese business leaders.Executives from companies including Suzuki Motor, Itochu and Toyota Tsusho are expected to be part of Takaichi\u2019s delegation.<\/p>\n The summit comes at a time when both countries are seeking deeper strategic coordination amid changing geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.Takaichi is expected to push for stronger cooperation with India as China expands its influence in the region and questions remain over the future role of the US in regional affairs.Economic security is likely to dominate discussions, with both sides focusing on building resilient supply chains in semiconductors, critical minerals and energy.The leaders are also expected to discuss regional issues, including developments in Ukraine, West Asia and the Indo-Pacific, while reaffirming their commitment to the Quad grouping involving India, Japan, the US and Australia.The summit will build on the India-Japan Joint Vision for the Next Decade adopted during the previous annual meeting in Tokyo in 2025. The framework identified cooperation areas including the economy, economic security, mobility, environment, technology and innovation, health, people-to-people ties and state-level engagement.Japan and India are also expected to advance discussions on energy resilience initiatives in the Indo-Pacific, including Japan\u2019s Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia (POWERR Asia), launched after disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict and shipping challenges in the Strait of Hormuz.<\/div>\nEnergy security, critical minerals and AI on summit agenda<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Strategic partnership amid regional uncertainties<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n