India and Japan Launch AI Dialogue and Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals

India and Japan enhanced their strategic partnership during the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue, launching a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Dialogue and agreeing to convene a Joint Working Group on critical minerals in early 2026. The talks, co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, emphasized economic security, supply chain resilience, and cooperation in rare earth elements. Both countries also plan private-sector dialogues and aim to deepen collaboration in technology, defence, and multilateral forums amid global uncertainties.