Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the significant role of investments in enhancing India’s collaboration with Japan. Speaking at ‘The Indo-Japan Strategic Dialogue’ with NDTV’s Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal, Goyal emphasized Japan’s focus on investments in India. The discussions coincided with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Delhi for the 16th India-Japan Summit.
Goyal praised Maruti Suzuki for introducing modern, affordable, technology-driven automobiles to India nearly four decades ago. He credited this move for propelling India towards becoming a global player in the auto industry. Notably, in May, Maruti Suzuki accounted for a substantial portion of passenger vehicles sold in India.
The minister highlighted Japan’s contributions to specific sectors, mentioning the collaborative effort in building India’s first dedicated freight corridor in Odisha. This partnership facilitated the transportation of iron ore. Goyal described the trade relationship between India and Japan as diverse, with India importing technology-driven products and exporting value-added goods.
Looking ahead, Goyal expressed India’s commitment to further enhancing its trade ties with Japan. He emphasized the importance of fostering more trade and investment collaborations with Japan. One of the key joint projects is the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, utilizing Japanese Shinkansen technology to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities.
Goyal addressed delays in the project, attributing them to the previous Maharashtra government. He accused the Uddhav Thackeray-led administration of hindering land acquisition for political reasons. However, with the current BJP-led government’s support, Goyal assured that the project is back on track to meet the 2029 deadline. Additionally, he highlighted opportunities for Indian professionals in Japan, particularly in the healthcare sector.
