India-Japan Tech Alliance: PM Modi Pitches for Deeper Startup & Innovation Ties in Tokyo

Tokyo’s business district wore a distinct buzz this week as Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum, marking his first standalone visit to Japan in nearly seven years. But this was no routine diplomatic engagement — it was a pitch for the future, rooted in technology, startups, and the shared ambition of two Asian giants.

Welcoming delegates with a warm “Namaste, Konnichiwa, Japan,” PM Modi set the tone for the day, framing India as a rising hub of innovation and investment and Japan as a trusted partner in that journey. His speech carried both a reflection of what has already been achieved and a blueprint of what lies ahead.

India-Japan: From Railways to Startups

India and Japan’s partnership has historically revolved around infrastructure and manufacturing — from metro rail projects to automotive collaborations. But in Tokyo, Modi shifted the spotlight firmly towards the technology and startup ecosystem, making it clear that the relationship is no longer just about building physical assets but also about shaping the digital and innovation-led economy of tomorrow.

The Prime Minister reminded the forum that Japanese companies have already invested over USD 40 billion in India. Even more striking was his note that in just the last two years, private investment from Japan crossed USD 13 billion. And it’s not slowing down. According to Modi, 80% of Japanese companies now want to expand in India, and 75% are already profitable in the country.

“In India, capital does not just grow — it multiplies,” he told the gathering of business leaders, urging them to look at India not just as a market, but as a global springboard.

Startups & Deep Tech: The New Frontier

Perhaps the most significant part of Modi’s address was his call for deeper collaboration in startups and frontier technologies. Positioning Japan as a “tech powerhouse” and India as a “talent powerhouse,” he outlined a joint vision for the 21st century — a tech revolution led by India and Japan together.

He identified five key areas for partnership, with a clear focus on AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, semiconductors, and space technology. Each of these sectors, he argued, represents not just opportunities for business but also avenues for the two nations to co-create the future.

To underscore his point, Modi invoked familiar success stories — Suzuki in automobiles and Daikin in air-conditioning — both examples of long-term Indo-Japanese collaboration. His message to Japanese entrepreneurs was crisp: “Come, Make in India, Make for the World.”

Green Energy & Infrastructure: Future-Ready Growth

Beyond startups, PM Modi made a strong case for collaboration in green energy. With India chasing ambitious targets — 500 GW renewable energy by 2030 and 100 GW nuclear power by 2047 — he pitched solar cells, green hydrogen, and nuclear power as areas where Japanese investment and technology could play a transformative role.

He also flagged the recently concluded India-Japan Joint Credit Mechanism, positioning it as a crucial step in aligning sustainability with growth.

On infrastructure, Modi was equally emphatic. Ports, airports, metro systems, and high-speed rail are all areas where Japan has played a key role in India’s development story. Looking ahead, he urged Japanese firms to bring their expertise into India’s next-generation mobility and logistics ecosystem, which is set to become the backbone of the country’s fast-growing economy.

Building for Startups: Policy & Talent

Modi also reminded the forum that India’s startup-friendly ecosystem hasn’t come about by accident — it is the result of a decade of reforms. From simplified tax codes and digital single-window approvals to compliance reduction and ease of doing business measures, the Prime Minister listed out the changes that have laid the foundation for India’s entrepreneurial boom.

The underlying message was clear: global investors now see India not just as a high-growth economy, but as a predictable, stable, and transparent investment destination with a deep talent base.

“India today offers political stability, economic predictability, transparency in policy, and a strong talent base. This is why global investors are not just watching India — they are counting on India,” he said, drawing nods from the audience.

India and Japan in a Changing World

Modi’s Tokyo address also carried a larger strategic undertone. With shifting global trade dynamics — from U.S. tariffs to supply chain realignments — India and Japan’s convergence is not just about economics. It is about shaping the balance of power in Asia and beyond.

Calling India a “springboard for Japanese businesses to the Global South,” Modi positioned the partnership as central to what many call the “Asian Century.” Stability, growth, and prosperity, he said, would define this shared future.

A Pitch Beyond Business

The Prime Minister’s visit is more than just a headline about investments and MOUs. It is about trust, long-term collaboration, and building ecosystems where both nations can thrive together. If Japan brings its technological expertise, India brings its scale, market, and talent.

For startups and entrepreneurs in both countries, this synergy could unlock new cross-border innovation networks, giving rise to the next wave of unicorns, deep tech ventures, and green energy disruptors.

As Modi concluded his address, the message was unmistakable: India and Japan are not just partners in development; they are co-architects of the future.