The commitment came during Takaichi’s visit to Hanoi, where the two leaders discussed expanding the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2023, covering sectors including energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and space cooperation.

“The two sides identified economic security as a new priority area for bilateral cooperation,” Takaichi told reporters after the meeting.“With regard to critical minerals, both sides agreed to strengthen close coordination to ensure stable supplies and reinforce supply chains,” she said.

The talks come as Japanese investment flows into Vietnam weakened sharply despite stronger trade ties. New Japanese investment in Vietnam fell about 75% year-on-year to $233 million in the first quarter of 2026, while bilateral trade rose 12.3% to $13.7 billion during the same period, according to Vietnamese government and customs data.

Japan remains one of Vietnam’s largest foreign investors, with major Japanese manufacturers operating extensive production bases in the country across electronics, automotive and industrial sectors.As part of the visit, both governments signed six agreements covering infrastructure development, climate action, agriculture, digital transformation, technology cooperation and space development, reinforcing broader strategic cooperation beyond trade.

Vietnam has also been seeking support from Japan and other partners to stabilize oil supplies as conflict in the Middle East pushes up crude prices and disrupts shipping routes.Under Japan’s $10 billion Power Asia Initiative, designed to strengthen energy self-reliance across Asia, Tokyo will help arrange crude oil supplies for Vietnam’s Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, one of the country’s most important energy facilities, Prime Minister Hung said.

Takaichi is also scheduled to meet To Lam and senior Communist Party leadership later on Saturday and deliver a keynote address at Vietnam National University.Her speech is expected to mark a decade since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe introduced Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy, a regional framework aimed at strengthening rules-based order, maritime security and economic cooperation across Asia.

Vietnam has publicly supported Japan’s regional initiatives, including the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision, aligning them with ASEAN’s broader Indo-Pacific outlook and emphasizing international law, regional stability and balanced strategic autonomy.Hung said Vietnam viewed the framework as contributing positively to “peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and beyond.”

The visit reflects Tokyo’s broader effort to deepen strategic partnerships across Southeast Asia as competition over technology, trade routes, mineral access and energy security intensifies across the Indo-Pacific.

“We had meetings with them again yesterday, and it has to do with their purchase of Russian oil,” Rubio said, underscoring the U.S. interest in ensuring that international sanctions and energy policies are respected while maintaining strong bilateral relations with India.

The discussions come amid ongoing tensions between the West and Russia, following Moscow’s actions in Ukraine and the imposition of multiple sanctions by the United States and its allies. While India has maintained a neutral stance on the conflict, its growing imports of Russian crude have drawn scrutiny from Washington, which is keen to prevent sanctions evasion and manage the global oil supply chain.

Energy analysts say India’s purchases of Russian crude have been largely driven by competitive pricing and the country’s growing domestic demand. India is one of the world’s fastest-growing energy markets, and affordable imports are critical to meeting its industrial and consumer needs. The U.S., while urging restraint, has emphasized dialogue and cooperation rather than confrontation, reflecting the strategic importance of U.S.-India relations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Rubio’s comments indicate that Washington is taking a measured approach, focusing on diplomatic engagement and transparent communication. “We are discussing these matters directly with Indian counterparts to ensure clarity and mutual understanding,” he said, signaling a preference for negotiation and coordination rather than punitive measures.

Observers note that these talks are part of a larger pattern of U.S. engagement with key global energy consumers, aiming to balance geopolitical considerations with market stability. India’s continued growth as an energy importer makes its alignment with international energy and sanction policies increasingly significant.

The outcome of these meetings could shape future discussions on energy security, trade policy, and broader U.S.-India cooperation. As global oil markets remain sensitive to geopolitical tensions, both countries appear committed to maintaining dialogue while safeguarding their respective national interests.

With both Washington and New Delhi emphasizing diplomacy, the focus remains on strategic collaboration, energy market stability, and long-term partnership, signaling that dialogue will continue in the weeks and months ahead.

The call, placed at President Trump’s request, comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following a major terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam region on April 22. Expressing condolences, Trump reiterated America’s support for India’s fight against terrorism — a sentiment welcomed by New Delhi as India continues its military operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor.

During the conversation, Prime Minister Modi provided a detailed account of India’s calibrated strikes on Pakistani terror camps and military positions conducted on the nights of May 6–7 and May 9–10. These operations, Modi emphasized, were “measured, precise, and non-escalatory”, yet effective enough to force Pakistan to request a cessation of hostilities.

Crucially, Modi made it clear that India regards this conflict not as a proxy war, but as a full-fledged confrontation against a terrorism-exporting state. “India does not and will never accept mediation,” he told President Trump, firmly dismissing any suggestion of third-party involvement or backdoor diplomacy — a position reflecting strong national consensus within India.

Trump reportedly inquired whether Modi could visit the U.S. on his way back from Canada, but scheduling constraints made such a stop unfeasible. However, both leaders agreed to reschedule a bilateral meeting soon.

The call also touched upon pressing global flashpoints, notably the Iran-Israel standoff. Modi and Trump shared serious concerns over Tehran’s destabilizing activities in the region. The leaders also reviewed developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, advocating for diplomacy but with clarity on red lines.

Turning toward the Indo-Pacific, Modi reiterated India’s strong commitment to the QUAD alliance, inviting Trump to visit India for the next QUAD Summit. Trump welcomed the invitation, reaffirming the importance of U.S.-India partnership in maintaining regional balance and confronting shared security challenges.

This conversation marked the first formal engagement between the two leaders following the terror attacks, and it signals a growing alignment between New Delhi and Washington on counter-terrorism, strategic deterrence, and geopolitical stability.