Itanagar, Aug 29: Infantry troops of the Army’s Spear Corps, in coordination with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), undertook a four-day exercise ‘Achook Prahar’ in Arunachal Pradesh, officials said on Friday.

Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that the four-day (August 25 to 28) exercise served as a joint validation of operational preparedness, wherein both forces executed coordinated firepower drills under simulated battlefield conditions.

Mortars, machine guns, rockets and grenades were employed to validate synergised response, accuracy and battlefield effectiveness, he said. This validation underscored the high level of interoperability between the Indian Army and ITBP, ensuring seamless coordination in high-altitude operational environments of Arunachal Pradesh.

Exercise ‘Achook Prahar’ reaffirmed the collective resolve of the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Force’s (CAPFs) to remain combat ready and responsive in safeguarding the nation’s frontiers.

Meanwhile, in a swift and professional response to a potential crisis, the Spearhead Division Unexploded Ordnance disposal team successfully recovered and thereafter, safely demolished 15 unserviceable 81 mm mortar bombs at Manigong in Arunachal Pradesh Siang District. Lt Col Rawat said that the operation was undertaken in close coordination with the government of Arunachal Pradesh.

The sensitive and hazardous ordnance was discovered in an area frequented by civilians during excavation, posing a serious threat to the safety and well-being of the local community. He said that responding without delay, the specialized disposal team mobilised to the remote site and executed a high-precision demolition operation on-site, effectively neutralizing the threat as per the laid down procedure.

Despite facing inclement weather and challenging terrain conditions, the team carried out the disposal operation with utmost professionalism and strict adherence to safety protocols. The entire activity was conducted ensuring no hardship or collateral damage is caused to the local population or the surrounding environment.

This successful operation not only eliminated a significant danger to civilians but also reinforced the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to public safety, even in the most remote and difficult areas of the country.

The Defence spokesperson said that the Indian Army’s coordination with civil authorities and swift execution of the operation exemplifies the synergy between military and local administration in ensuring the safety and security of the people.

The local community and state authorities have expressed deep appreciation for the Indian Army’s prompt and decisive action in restoring safety to the local community, he stated.

IANS

Tokyo, Aug 29: India and Japan on Friday announced the launch of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiative to advance collaboration in Large Language Models (LLMs), training, capacity building and support for businesses and start-ups to foster a trustworthy AI ecosystem.

The two nations also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Digital Partnership 2.0 during the ongoing visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tokyo. Following the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit. meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba announced the launch of a India-Japan AI Cooperation Initiative, which is aimed at deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation on artificial intelligence including Large Language Models (LLMs), establishing platforms for exchange between industry and academia, supporting joint research projects, and facilitating the development and operations of data centres in India.

Prime Minister Modi also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Ishiba to attend the AI Impact Summit, which will be hosted by India in February 2026. Furthermore, the two Prime Ministers emphasised the importance of support for startups and concurred in promoting activities of startups of both countries in India including through the Japan-India Startup Support Initiative (JISSI).

The list of outcomes released after the summit meeting detailed that a document to advance bilateral collaboration in digital public infrastructure, development of digital talent and joint R&D in futuristic technological fields such as AI, IoT, semiconductors was also signed between both countries. India and Japan announced the launch of the Next-General Mobility Partnership to foster G2G and B2B partnerships in the infrastructure, logistics and mobility sectors, particularly railways, aviation, roads, shipping and ports, with a focus on Make-in-India of mobility products and solutions.

The two nations announced an action plan to promote two-way exchange of 500,000 people between India and Japan, particularly 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled personnel from India to Japan in the next five years.

India and Japan also announced the launch of the Sustainable Fuel Initiative to promote energy security, farmer livelihoods and advance R&D in technologies related to sustainable fuels such as biogas and biofuels. The list of outcomes mentions the launch of the India-Japan Small and Medium Enterprises Forum to strengthen collaboration between Indian and Japanese SMEs, which are the engines of India and Japan.

India and Japan also launched the Economic Security Initiative to promote supply chain resilience in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, telecom, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals as well as new and emerging technologies. The two sides agreed to have high-level exchanges between states and prefectures, including three visits in each direction to be organised by the Foreign Offices.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote exchanges between diplomats, academics, officials, experts and researchers to advance mutual understanding in the field of foreign policy.

IANS

Tokyo, Aug 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday affirmed India and Japan’s commitment to free, open, peaceful, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific while announcing that both countries have decided to further strengthen mutual cooperation in defence industry and innovation.

While addressing a joint press meet with Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba following the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit on Friday, PM Modi stated, “India and Japan are fully committed to a free, open, peaceful, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. We have common concerns on terrorism and cyber security. Our shared interests are linked to Defence and Maritime Security. We have decided to further strengthen mutual cooperation in the field of defence industry and innovation.”

Earlier, in an interview given to the leading Japanese daily ‘The Yomiuri Shimbun’ ahead of his arrival in Tokyo, PM Modi had highlighted that collaboration in the defence sector has been a strong success story for India and Japan as both countries have a shared interest in peace, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

“Today, our partnership spans across all three services. We conduct regular bilateral and multilateral exercises. We are building a robust Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation, and working on co-development and co-production of UNICORN masts for our Navy,” he said.

The Prime Minister asserted that, in the recent years, Indian defence products are rapidly expanding their global footprint. “Japan also has a proven record in the field of defence technology. Together, with political trust and natural complementarities, we can design and produce next generation defence platforms not just for ourselves, but also for the world.

The Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation to be adopted during my visit will further military modernization and defence industry collaboration, and advance our ambition for shaping a secure and stable Indo-Pacific for generations to come,” he told Yomiuri Shimbun.

On Friday, PM Modi invited Ishiba for the next India-Japan Annual Summit, stressing that partnership between India and Japan is rooted in mutual trust and shaped by shared values and beliefs. He welcomed the agreement reached between Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for cooperation in the Chandrayaan-5 mission.

“India and Japan partnership is rooted in mutual trust, reflects our national priorities, and is shaped by our shared values ​​and beliefs. Together, we carry a common dream of peace, progress and prosperity of our peoples and for the world,” he said. PM Modi called his discussions with Ishiba “productive and purposeful.”

He further said, “We both agree that as the world’s two largest economies and vibrant democracies, our partnership is extremely important not only for our two countries but also for global peace and stability.”

He also announced human resource exchange plan between two nations. He said, “Under the action plan of human resource exchange, exchange of 5 lakh people will be encouraged from both sides in different fields in the next five years. In this, 50,000 skilled Indians will actively contribute to the economy of Japan.”

“The participation of India and Japan will not be limited to Delhi and Tokyo only. Now the bond between Indian States and Japanese prefectures will deepen through institutional cooperation. This will open new doors for trade, tourism, education, and cultural exchanges,” he added.

PM Modi announced that India and Japan will make rapid progress in areas like ports, aviation and shipbuilding under the Next Generation Mobility Partnership. He called India-Japan joint credit mechanism a “big win” for energy and also announced the launch of Sustainable Fuels Initiative and Battery Supply Chain Partnership. “Our Joint Credit Mechanism is a big win for energy.

It shows that our green partnership is as strong as our economic partnership. In this direction, we are also launching the Sustainable Fuels Initiative and Battery Supply Chain Partnership. We are launching the Economic Security Cooperation Initiative. Under this, we will move forward with a comprehensive approach in critical and strategic areas,” he said.

Terming Indian talent and Japanese technology as a “winning combination”, PM Modi said, “We believe that Japanese technology and Indian talent are a winning combination. While we are working on high-speed rail, we will also make rapid progress in areas like ports, aviation and shipbuilding under the Next Generation Mobility Partnership.

“We welcome the agreement reached between ISRO and JAXA for cooperation in the Chandrayaan-5 mission. Our active participation will go beyond the boundaries of the earth and will become a symbol of the progress of humanity in space as well,” he stated.

PM Modi’s remarks came after he held the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with his Japanese counterpart Ishiba at Kantei, the official residence of PM of Japan. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, India’s Ambassador to Japan Sibi George and other officials also attended the meeting.

PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour at Kantei as he arrived to hold the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit discussions. Earlier in the day, PM Modi and Ishiba addressed the India-Japan Economic Forum. CEOs and business leaders from various fields participated in the event.

In his address, PM Modi spoke about India’s deep economic ties with Japan and also mentioned about areas where cooperation between two nations can deepen in the years to come.

IANS