What happened?
The third India-Japan Space Dialogue was held in Tokyo on 01 April 2025. The Indian delegation was co-led by Ms Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary, Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division, Ministry of External Affairs, and Mr M. Ganesh Pillai, Scientific Secretary, ISRO, Department of Space. The Japanese delegation was co-led by Mr Saita Yukio, Assistant Minister/Ambassador in charge of Space Policy, Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr Kazeki Jun, Director General, National Space Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Office.
The dialogue included ministries and agencies related to outer space, with exchanges of views on their respective space policies and priorities. Discussions were held on national space programmes, bilateral space cooperation, space situational awareness, space security, Quad space cooperation, industry level cooperation and commercial space collaboration. The Indian co-chairs also visited JAXA’s Tsukuba Space Center on 31 March 2025.
The dialogue was preceded by an industry cooperation event organised by IN-SPACe and Japan’s Cabinet Office, with participation from representatives of Japanese and Indian companies and industry associations.
Why it matters to India
This dialogue signifies the importance India places on its space cooperation with Japan. By discussing national space programmes and bilateral cooperation, India aims to strengthen its capabilities and partnerships in space exploration, technology, and security. The focus on Quad space cooperation also aligns with India’s strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, the emphasis on industry-level and commercial space collaboration can create opportunities for India’s growing space sector, fostering innovation and economic growth.