PM Modi Highlights India-Japan Partnership at Economic Forum in Tokyo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the India-Japan Economic Forum in Tokyo on Friday, underscored the deep-rooted partnership between the two nations, calling Japan an “indispensable partner” in India’s growth journey.

Greeting Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, business leaders, and delegates, Modi said that Japan has consistently stood by India — from metros to manufacturing, semiconductors to start-ups. He highlighted that Japanese companies have invested over USD 40 billion in India, including USD 13 billion in the last two years alone.

Quoting surveys by JBIC and JETRO, Modi noted that India is now seen as one of the most promising destinations for global businesses, with 80% of Japanese firms expressing plans to expand operations and 75% already reporting profits.

“In India, capital does not just grow, it multiplies!” the Prime Minister remarked, pointing to political stability, economic resilience, and transparent policies that have made India the world’s fastest-growing major economy.

He outlined five key areas for India-Japan collaboration:

1. Manufacturing: extending success beyond automobiles into batteries, semiconductors, shipbuilding, robotics, and nuclear energy.
2. Technology & Innovation: leveraging Japan’s technological strength with India’s talent pool in AI, quantum computing, biotech, and space.
3. Green Energy Transition: expanding cooperation in solar, green hydrogen, and nuclear energy, with India targeting 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030.
4. Next-Gen Infrastructure: deepening collaboration in logistics, ports, airports, metros, and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.
5. Skill Development & People-to-People Ties: creating a “Japan-ready” skilled workforce from India through training in Japanese language and soft skills.

Reaffirming India’s commitment to reforms, Modi said his government’s “reform, perform, transform” approach has modernised taxation, simplified compliance, and opened sensitive sectors like defence, space, and nuclear energy to private investment.

“India and Japan’s partnership is strategic and smart. Together, we will shape the Asian Century for stability, growth, and prosperity,” the Prime Minister said, thanking Japan’s leadership and business community for their continued trust.