In a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between India and Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with a high-powered delegation from Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives) at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg today. Led by Mr. Takeshi Niinami, Chairperson of Keizai Doyukai, the delegation included 20 senior business leaders who engaged in discussions on deepening trade relations, investment opportunities, and strategic collaboration across multiple sectors.
The meeting reflected the growing partnership between the two nations, with a focus on key areas such as agriculture, marine products, space, defense, insurance, technology, infrastructure, civil aviation, clean energy, nuclear energy, and MSME cooperation. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment, highlighting the Japan Plus system—an initiative designed to fast-track and facilitate Japanese investments in the country. He assured the delegation that India’s governance is policy-driven, ensuring a transparent and predictable environment for investors.
Emphasizing India’s potential as a global manufacturing hub, Modi pointed out the country’s vast skilled workforce, low labor costs, and a rapidly growing aviation sector. He underscored the government’s focus on infrastructure development, including new airports and logistics expansion, which are set to enhance India’s global connectivity and trade efficiency.
The discussion also delved into India’s role in the artificial intelligence landscape. With its diversity and technological progress, India is poised to play a crucial role in AI development, and the Prime Minister encouraged collaboration with international partners in this field. Additionally, he spoke about India’s strides in green energy, particularly in biofuels, which he described as a transformative opportunity for the agricultural sector.
The Prime Minister further highlighted India’s expanding insurance sector and the emerging opportunities in space and nuclear energy. He expressed confidence that India and Japan could leverage their complementarities in human resource development and skill enhancement to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
The visiting delegation shared their vision for expanding Japanese investments in India, praising the business climate under Modi’s leadership. Mr. Niinami Takeshi, Representative Director, President & CEO of Suntory Holdings Ltd, expressed strong optimism about India’s potential, aligning with the Make in India, Make for the World vision. Similarly, Mr. Tanakaa Shigehiro, Corporate Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Government Affairs Officer at NEC Corporation, appreciated Modi’s clarity in outlining his expectations for Japanese industries.
The meeting reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting India’s long-term growth, with business leaders expressing confidence in the roadmap for Viksit Bharat @2047. The discussions underscored a shared ambition to deepen business and investment ties, reinforcing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership in the years ahead.
