In a significant stride towards global technological leadership, India and Japan have deepened their "Special Strategic and Global Partnership," focusing heavily on economic security and innovation. This expanded collaboration, highlighted during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tokyo, designates 2025 as the "Year of Science, Technology and Innovation Exchanges" between the two nations.
Semiconductors and Critical Minerals
The semiconductor sector is a key area of cooperation, with concrete projects already underway. Japan's Renesas Electronics is partnering with CG Power to establish an OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility in Gujarat. Collaborations with IIT Hyderabad and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under India's "Chips to Startup" program are also advancing. Additionally, Tokyo Electron and Tata Electronics have formed a strategic tie-up to strengthen India's semiconductor ecosystem. Beyond semiconductors, a new Memorandum of Cooperation signed in August 2025 boosts collaboration in rare earths and critical minerals, building on existing projects like Toyota Tsusho's refining initiative in Andhra Pradesh. Both countries are coordinating efforts through multilateral frameworks such as the Mineral Security Partnership and Quad Critical Minerals Initiatives.
Clean Energy and ICT Advancements
Clean energy has emerged as another focal point of the India-Japan partnership. Agreements include a Memorandum of Cooperation on the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) and a declaration on clean hydrogen and ammonia. Collaborative projects are set to include ammonia co-firing at Adani Power's Mundra plant and a partnership between JBIC-Osaka Gas and Clean Max for a 400MW renewable portfolio. Efforts are also underway in battery supply chains and biofuel initiatives, supported by green project investments. In Information and Communication Technology (ICT), cooperation has accelerated with joint efforts in 5G and Open RAN systems, notably through a partnership between NEC and Reliance Jio. The India-Japan AI Cooperation Initiative has been launched to promote strategic collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI), including joint research and the development of Large Language Models (LLMs). Furthermore, NTT Data and Neysa Networks are committing to a large AI data center cluster in Hyderabad.
Space Exploration and Student Innovation
Domestically, India's space agency, ISRO, continues its ambitious endeavors. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the agreement between ISRO and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for the Chandrayaan-5 mission under the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) program. In a move to nurture future talent, ISRO has also launched a dedicated platform to support student innovation in space technology, aiming to integrate young innovators into India's space ambitions.
Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation
India is also reinforcing its cybersecurity capabilities. The Indian Army, in collaboration with IIT Madras and CyberPeace, is conducting the "Indian Army Terrier Cyber Quest 2025," a national challenge focused on emerging technologies like AI, Machine Learning (ML), Quantum Computing, and Drone Technology to address defense and cybersecurity threats. Moreover, Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India are driving significant digital transformation initiatives for their parent companies, leveraging advanced digital innovations such as Generative AI (GenAI), AI, ML, IoT, Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, and Blockchain.