Diplomatic ties between India and Japan were established in 1952 with the signing of the Peace Treaty post World War II.
The two countries have several institutional dialogue mechanisms, including a 2+2 Dialogue at the Foreign and Defence Secretaries level, which are held regularly, at senior official and functional levels to exchange views on bilateral issues as well as regional and international cooperation.
In 2016, Japan announced its Country Assistance Policy providing Official Development Assistance (ODA) to build India’s critical infrastructure, and to address social and environmental issues caused by rapid growth.
In a special gesture, India announced “visa on arrival” scheme for all Japanese travellers, including for business purposes, from March 1, 2016.
A Comprehensive Economic Partnership was concluded between India and Japan in 2011 to accelerate economic and commercial relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit, for the 13th Annual Summit, to Japan on 28-29 October 2018 provided further impetus to bilateral ties. MOC on Healthcare and Wellness, Postal services, Environmental cooperation, and Food Processing Sector were among the 32 MoUs/Agreements signed during the Annual Summit.
An “India-Japan Digital Partnership” (I-JDP) was launched during the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Japan in October 2018, furthering existing areas of cooperation as well as new initiatives within the scope of cooperation in S&T/ICT, focusing more on “Digital ICT Technologies”. This also incorporates setting up “Start-up Hub” between India and Japan.
PM led cabinet has approved for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between textiles committee, India, and M/s Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre, Japan, for improving quality and testing of Indian textiles and clothing for the Japanese market and facilitate Indian exports to meet the requirements of Japanese importers.
A Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services was signed between the Armed Forces of India and the Self-Defense Forces of Japan to establish the enabling framework of the activities under the agreement. The activities include the reciprocal provision of supplies and services, and bilateral training activities, United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, Humanitarian International Relief and other mutually agreed activities.
The Government of India and Government of Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in January 2021 on a Basic Framework for Partnership for Proper Operation of the System Pertaining to "Specified Skilled Worker". Read more for details
The Trade and Industry Ministers of India, Japan and Australia, formally launched the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) on 27th April 2021 to enhance the resilience of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific Region and to develop dependable sources of supply and to attract investment.
On 10th of December 2019, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Piyush Goyal, and Hon’ble Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Mr. Hiroshi Kajiyama, decided to launch “India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership (IJICP)”. Under the IJICP, MoCI and METI will jointly work toward enhancing India’s industrial competitiveness through discussion in areas such as development and utilization of industrial zones to promote foreign direct investment, lowering cost of logistics, and facilitating smooth governmental procedures. They will also identify challenges of specific industrial sectors and the means to mitigate these challenges.