Tokyo: India’s Ambassador Sibi George has hailed the remarkable strengthening of bilateral ties, calling the India–Japan relationship a “significant, quantum leap” across sectors in recent years. In an interview, George said India and Japan are “like-minded and natural partners,” noting steady advances since 2014 in politics, business, defence, cultural ties, and technology. He stressed the importance of engaging not only Tokyo but each prefecture across Japan.

Asked whether the partnership was reshaping global order, he observed: “In 2014, India and Japan created the Special Strategic and Global Partnership. It reinforced our deep civilisational links. Since then, we have seen steady progress in every domain—political ties, trade, defence, cultural interaction, and technology. In today’s changing geopolitical and geo-economic climate, we are deepening this engagement at all levels.”

He added: “India and Japan are like-minded, natural partners. Our cooperation extends even to space. The leap in our relationship is evident, and we are drafting a new roadmap. We connect Indian states with Japanese prefectures, moving beyond Tokyo. Japan is embracing this outreach enthusiastically.”

The India–Japan partnership has evolved through three stages: ‘Global Partnership’ in 2000, ‘Strategic and Global Partnership’ in 2006, and ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ in 2014. Since 2006, Annual Summits have steered the relationship.

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, strategic convergence between India’s Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision is increasingly visible.

Ambassador George called the story a compelling product: “India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy, offering billions of opportunities. The India–Japan success story has immense appeal, and we are confident the trajectory is forward.”