Get ready for a game-changer! India and Japan have just unveiled a monumental joint vision, setting the stage for a decade of unprecedented collaboration. This isn’t just talk; it’s a strategic roadmap designed to redefine their relationship and usher in a new era of growth and innovation. The ‘India – Japan Joint Vision for the Next Decade: Eight Directions to Steer the Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ was officially adopted during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Tokyo for the Annual Summit 2025. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru extended the invitation, leading to this landmark agreement.
So, what are these ‘eight directions’ that will guide this powerful partnership? They cover a broad spectrum, from economic ties to human resource exchange, ensuring a holistic approach to their special strategic and global collaboration. We’re talking Next Generation Economic Partnership, Next Generation Economic Security Partnership, Next Generation Mobility, Next Generation Ecological Legacies, Next Gen Technology and Innovation Partnership, Investing in Next Gen Health, Next Gen People-to-People Partnership, and the Next-Gen State-Prefecture Partnership. Each direction is packed with ambitious goals and concrete plans.
Let’s dive into the economic heart of this vision. Under the Next Generation Economic Partnership, both nations are building on the impressive progress already made. Remember the 2022-2026 target of JPY 5 trillion in public and private investment from Japan to India? Well, they’re taking it up a notch. A new target of JPY 10 trillion in private investment has been set, signaling a massive influx of capital into India’s economy. This partnership is a clear win for **India**.
But it’s not just about the money. Strengthening India-Japan industrial cooperation is a key focus for the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Through the India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership (IJICP), the aim is to upgrade product quality in **India** using high quality products essential for Japanese firms. This will not only boost local manufacturing but also integrate Indian products into global supply chains.
The Next Generation Economic Security Partnership zeros in on critical areas for future growth. A major highlight here is the agreement to promote India-Japan battery supply chain cooperation. The goal? To foster a healthy battery market and ecosystem. As the world moves towards sustainable energy, securing vital components like batteries is paramount, and this collaboration puts both countries at the forefront.
Mobility is another area seeing significant advancement. The joint declaration explicitly mentions high speed rail systems. This includes ‘Make in India’ next generation rolling stock, functional signaling and operational control systems, seismic proofing, and AI based maintenance and monitoring. It also covers energy transition in the railway sector, and advanced metro rail systems and mass rapid transit systems. Building on existing cooperation in railways, this initiative promises a revolution in **India**’s transport infrastructure.
Now, let’s talk about the human element. The Next Gen People-to-People Partnership is incredibly exciting. Both countries have agreed to launch an action Plan for India-Japan Human Resource Exchange and Cooperation. The target is ambitious: an exchange of more than 500,000 personnel in both directions over the next five years. This includes 50,000 skilled personnel and potential talents from **India** to Japan. This exchange will foster cultural understanding, skill development, and strengthen social bonds.
The joint vision document also emphasizes investing in Next Gen Health to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). This is a truly comprehensive plan, identifying cooperation between India’s Ayushman Bharat and Japan’s Asia Health and Wellbeing Initiative. Joint research will delve into crucial areas like geriatric medicine, stem cell therapy, gene therapy, regenerative medicine, cancer treatment, and digital health. The plan extends to strengthening medical infrastructure, ensuring the supply of medicines and equipment, promoting the exchange of medical professionals, and even establishing centers of excellence in Japan for yoga, meditation, ayurveda, and holistic wellness with support from India’s Ministry of AYUSH. This holistic approach to health is a testament to the depth of this partnership.
Finally, the Next-Gen State-Prefecture Partnership underscores the vital role of Indian States and Japanese Prefectures in bilateral cooperation. This innovative approach proposes promoting new sister city and state-prefecture ties, boosting direct flights between Indian and Japanese cities, strengthening SME and regional industry partnerships, and facilitating three delegation visits per year coordinated by the Ministries of External Affairs of both nations. This localized approach will ensure that the benefits of this partnership reach every corner of both countries.
Through these eight strategic directions, India and Japan are poised to usher in a truly transformative phase of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership in the eighth decade of bilateral relations. The aim is clear: to bring tangible benefits to future generations, solidifying a bond that will shape the global landscape for decades to come. Prime Minister Modi’s two day official visit to Japan, spanning August 29 to 30, for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit, has laid the groundwork for this incredible journey. Following this, the Prime Minister will head to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin.