SMM Flash: India and Japan Ink Deals on Rare Earths, Chips, Lunar Mission Amid Strategic Realignment

Published: Sep 4, 2025 18:15

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[SMM Flash: India and Japan Reach Agreements on Rare Earths, Chips, and Lunar Exploration] Indian Prime Minister Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba unveiled a series of agreements during a key meeting in Tokyo, signaling an impending shift in Asia's critical minerals and technology landscape. The talks not only highlighted both nations' intent to deepen cooperation in rare earths, semiconductors, and economic security but also advanced the joint lunar mission of Chandrayaan-5. A major outcome was the launch of the "India-Japan Economic Security Initiative," aimed at strengthening supply chain resilience in semiconductors, clean energy, and other sectors. While the statement did not explicitly mention China, the leaders emphasized maintaining "freedom of navigation" in the East and South China Seas and opposing any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo. For investors, this marks India and Japan's strategic realignment to boost financing, technology sharing, and potential new rare earth ventures, creating opportunities beyond China's orbit.

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