Sanae Takaichi says Japan and India face challenges from "weaponisation of the economy"

After meeting in New Delhi, Japan's defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi and India's defense minister Rajnath Singh signed a maritime security cooperation agreement, as the two Quad allies deepen military ties. They discussed possible joint naval shipbuilding and design, combining Japanese technological know-how with India's "Make in India" production drive. The meeting followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's July hosting of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, when they pledged closer work on critical minerals, an area China dominates. Takaichi afterward said Japan and India faced challenges from economic coercion and non-market policies. China's foreign ministry responded that international cooperation should not target other countries or serve as an excuse for exclusive blocs or confrontation. The defense talks highlight efforts to balance China's growing regional influence.