PM Modi in Japan: Let’s recreate auto sector magic in batteries, robotics, semiconductors

Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, attends the India-Japan Economic Forum in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Bloomberg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pitched for partnership with Japan in areas such as semiconductors, batteries, robotics, shipbuilding and nuclear energy in a “recreation of the same magic” forged in automobiles.

“Japan has always been an important partner in India’s development. From metro (trains) to manufacturing, from semiconductors to start-ups, our partnership in every sector illustrates our mutual trust. Japanese companies have invested over $40 billion in India. In the last two years, $13 billion of private investments have come in,” Modi said at the India Japan economic forum in Tokyo on Friday. He jointly addressed the forum with Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba. 

Modi’s two-day official trip to Japan, to be followed by his visit to China to attend the SCO Summit, takes place in the backdrop of New Delhi’s increased tension with the US following imposition of steep tariffs on Indian exports.

In his address to the Japanese industry, Modi highlighted deep economic ties with Japan and also areas where cooperation can deepen in the years to come. “Like we did in automobiles, recreate the same magic in batteries, robotics, semiconductors, shipbuilding, nuclear energy,” he said. This is Modi’s eighth visit to Japan and his first annual summit with Ishiba.

JETRO says that 80 per cent of companies want to expand in India and 75 per cent are already earning profits,” he added.

Modi stressed on the shared potential to lead the tech revolution of the 21st century. “India has taken bold and ambitious initiatives in AI, semiconductor, quantum computing, biotech, and space. The technology of Japan and the talent of India can together lead the tech revolution of this century….India and Japan have signed an agreement on Joint Credit Mechanism for cooperation on clean fuel and green future,” he said.

India and Japan’s partnership is strategic and smart. “Powered by economic logic, we have turned shared interests into shared prosperity. India is the springboard for Japanese businesses to the global south. Together, we will shape the Asian century for stability, growth, and prosperity,” Modi said.

Published on August 29, 2025