Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd, co-chaired the 12th India-Japan Business Leaders Forum in the presence of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Meeting after a gap of seven years, the forum highlighted new opportunities for bilateral collaboration in areas such as green energy, electric mobility, space technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital infrastructure, healthcare, electronics, and data centres.
In his remarks, Mr Kalyani stressed the growing significance of the India-Japan partnership, calling it a vital pillar for global economic resilience and sustainable growth amid global trade uncertainties. He urged both nations to strengthen value chains by harnessing complementary capabilities and encouraged Japanese investments in India’s banking, financial services, and global capability centres. He also emphasized co-creation of solutions for Society 5.0, joint standard-setting initiatives, and greater human capital exchange to support Japan’s demographic needs through India’s young workforce.
During the forum, Mr Kalyani and Mr Tsutsui, Chairman of Keidanren, presented the Joint Forum Report to the two Prime Ministers. The report outlined a roadmap to elevate bilateral ties, including revising the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), amending the tax treaty, and supporting India’s entry into the CPTPP. It also recommended a private-sector dialogue on economic security, advancing decarbonisation through clean energy and the Joint Crediting Mechanism, and enhancing collaboration in semiconductors, AI, and smart manufacturing. Other initiatives included SME and start-up partnerships, third-country cooperation in Africa, talent and cultural exchanges, as well as new opportunities in space, film, animation, gaming, and extended reality (XR).
The forum concluded with a joint statement affirming that the India-Japan economic partnership is entering a new era—driven by innovation, strengthened cooperation, and shared prosperity. This renewed engagement aims to create a balanced and sustainable growth model benefiting both nations while contributing to global stability.
