Modi, Japan PM Condemn Pakistan-Backed Terror, Call for Action Against LeT, JeM
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida jointly condemned Pakistan-backed terrorist groups during a summit in Tokyo on July 1, 2026, marking a pivotal shift in India-Japan counterterrorism cooperation. The statement, issued after bilateral talks, urged international bodies to take “urgent and decisive action” against the groups, which have been linked to multiple high-profile attacks in South Asia. “Terrorism knows no borders, and its perpetrators must face global accountability,” Modi said, citing a 2023 UN Security Council resolution that designated LeT as a “subversive organization.”
According to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the joint declaration emphasized “strengthening intelligence-sharing mechanisms” to disrupt financing networks and recruitment pipelines for JeM and LeT. Japanese officials confirmed the pledge, with Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi noting, “Japan stands with India in confronting transnational threats that destabilize regional security.”
India-Japan Strategic Alignment in Counterterrorism
The summit occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions in South Asia, where both nations have expressed concerns over Pakistan’s alleged support for militant groups. India has long accused Islamabad of harboring LeT, which it blames for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Japan, while not directly involved in the India-Pakistan conflict, has increasingly aligned with New Delhi on security issues, particularly as Beijing’s influence in the region grows.
"However, the effectiveness of their counterterrorism efforts will depend on overcoming bureaucratic inertia and ensuring actionable intelligence is exchanged swiftly."
The two leaders also discussed expanding defense ties, including a $1.2 billion deal for Japan to supply advanced surveillance equipment to India’s Coast Guard. This follows a 2024 agreement to co-develop a next-generation warship, part of a broader defense partnership aimed at countering “security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.”
Historical Context of LeT and JeM Activities
LeT and JeM, both designated as terrorist organizations by the UN and the U.S., have a history of orchestrating attacks across South Asia. LeT is implicated in the 2008 Mumbai bombings and the 2016 Uri attack, which killed 19 Indian soldiers. JeM, meanwhile, has been linked to the 2019 Pulwama attack, which killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel. Despite repeated Indian demands, Pakistan has not formally banned either group, citing domestic legal constraints.
Experts note that the groups have adapted to international pressure by diversifying their funding sources. "This requires a multi-pronged approach involving financial intelligence, digital surveillance, and regional cooperation."
The 2026 summit comes as India and Japan
