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The Next Generation Economic Partnership: India–Japan SME Forum was inaugurated in Tokyo on 21 November, marking a significant step toward advancing small and medium enterprise (SME) collaboration between the two countries.
The forum is a major outcome of the Joint Vision for the Next Decade, adopted during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan in August 2025. The vision emphasizes enhanced SME cooperation through increased Japanese SME visits to India, expansion of downstream industries, and the establishment of an India–Japan SME Forum.
Organized by the Indian Embassy in Tokyo in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), JETRO, JBIC, and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), the event drew participation from 170 Japanese SMEs representing a wide range of sectors interested in opportunities in India.
Key speakers included India’s Ambassador to Japan H.E. Nagma M. Mallick, Japan’s State Minister of METI H.E. INO Toshiro, DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia, JETRO Chairman and CEO ISHIGURO Norihiko, JBIC Senior Managing Director OGAWA Kazunori, and METI Deputy Director-General TAKAYAMA Naritoshi. They highlighted the strong potential for Japanese SME expansion in India and welcomed the upcoming first SME Mission from Japan to India, scheduled for December 2025.
Representatives from KAI Corporation and SPRIX Inc. also shared insights into their successful business experiences in India, underscoring the growing appeal of the Indian market for Japanese enterprises.