Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Japan visit on Friday, declared that “the world is not just watching India, it is counting on India,” as he pitched for deeper India-Japan cooperation in manufacturing, technology, green energy, and skill development.
Speaking at the India-Japan Economic Forum in Tokyo, PM Modi said, “Japan’s excellence and India’s scale can create the perfect partnership. Japan is a tech powerhouse, and India is a talent powerhouse. Together, we can lead the tech revolution of the 21st century.”
He emphasised India’s bold strides in AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space, underlining the synergy between Japanese innovation and Indian talent.
The two countries also signed an agreement on a Joint Credit Mechanism for clean energy and green development. “India today enjoys political stability, economic stability, policy transparency, and predictability,” Modi noted, adding that the nation is the fastest-growing major economy and set to soon become the world’s third-largest economy.
Highlighting India’s strong fundamentals, he said:
- India contributes 18% to global growth.
- Forex reserves stand at nearly USD 700 billion.
- The economy is supported by a strong banking sector, low inflation, and low interest rates.
PM Modi credited reforms such as GST, simplified tax compliance, deregulation, single-window digital approvals, and the opening up of defence, space, and nuclear sectors for driving India’s transformation.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, in his remarks, praised India-Japan cooperation: “Japan’s advanced technology and India’s outstanding talent complement each other. Many Japanese companies are central to the Make in India initiative. Today’s agreements show Japan’s firm commitment to further investment and building supply chains centred around our nations.”
PM Modi underlined that the India-Japan partnership is “strategic and smart”, aimed at turning shared interests into shared prosperity. “India is the springboard for Japanese business to the Global South. Together, we will shape the Asian century with stability, growth, and prosperity,” he said.
He also noted that Japanese companies have invested over USD 40 billion in India, with contributions spanning from metro projects to manufacturing and start-ups.
This is PM Modi’s first standalone visit to Japan in nearly seven years, during which he will hold in-depth talks with PM Ishiba at the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit. The two leaders are expected to review bilateral progress and exchange views on regional and global issues.