Agartala, January 30, 2026: The Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research (CNESPR) at National Law University (NLU) Tripura hosted a special lecture on “India–Japan Special Strategic Partnership: Implications for Northeast India” at the university’s Moot Court Hall on Friday.

The event was inaugurated by Prof. Yogesh Pratap Singh, Vice-Chancellor of NLU Tripura, and Dr. Dipikanta Chakraborty, Director of CNESPR, in the presence of faculty members, Ph.D. scholars, and students. The keynote address was delivered by Abe Nariaki, Minister of Political Affairs at the Embassy of Japan, New Delhi.

In his lecture, Abe highlighted the evolving contours of India–Japan relations under the Special Strategic and Global Partnership. He underscored the strategic significance of Northeast India as a vital convergence point between India’s Act East Policy and Japan’s Look East orientation, describing the region as a gateway to Southeast Asia.

Abe outlined Japan’s ongoing engagement in the Northeast through infrastructure development, social sector initiatives, and connectivity projects. He elaborated on the major pillars of cooperation—security, trade and investment, innovation and digital technologies, and human resource development—while also pointing to emerging areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, clean energy, climate action, health, disaster management, and advanced science and technology, including space and lunar exploration.

Reaffirming Japan’s commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and the QUAD framework, Abe stressed that sustained multilateral engagement and deeper cooperation in Northeast India are crucial for ensuring a stable, inclusive, and rules-based regional order.

The lecture concluded with an interactive session, where participants observed that enhanced India–Japan collaboration in Northeast India will remain central to shaping the future trajectory of the bilateral partnership.