India and Japan have taken a major step in defence cooperation by signing their first co-development agreement for the Naval Radio Antenna ‘UNICORN’ project during Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s official visit to India.
Addressing the media alongside Takaichi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “In the defence sector, we have signed an agreement today on the first co-development project between India and Japan. This project involving the Naval Radio Antenna ‘UNICORN – will open a new chapter in our defence technology partnership. We will now jointly develop defence technologies that strengthen regional peace, maritime security, and the rules-based order.”
Takaichi highlighted the importance of the partnership, saying, “Today, both India and Japan are among the world’s largest economies. A free, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific is our shared priority. As the region’s largest democratic and market economies, we have undertaken several significant initiatives today. Together, these will pave the way for peace, stability, and progress across the entire region.”
The two countries also signed cooperation agreements covering geology and mineral exploration, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, batteries, and biogas and organic fertilizer production, further strengthening their Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
