Modi Advocates Stronger State-Level Ties in Meeting with Japanese Governors
TOKYO, Japan – August 30, 2025:Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with governors from 16 Japanese prefectures in Tokyo. He pushed for a stronger focus on cooperation at the state level to boost the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. This meeting was a key part of his visit, marking a shift from a central approach to more local collaboration in important areas like tech, innovation, and trade.
Discussions centered on using the specific strengths of Indian states and Japanese prefectures. Modi’s call for more engagement under the State-Prefecture Partnership Initiative, which started during the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit, wants to create stronger connections beyond just Tokyo and Delhi. This was stated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
A Shift to Local Engagement
Modi’s meeting with the Japanese governors is a key step in strengthening relations. He said that the bond between the two countries is strong, and it’s time to expand collaboration to the state level.
The State-Prefecture Partnership Initiative is central to this plan. It aims to increase cooperation in areas like trade, tech, tourism, skills, security, and cultural exchanges.
Focusing on Economic and Tech Cooperation
Talks focused on ways to strengthen partnerships in tech, innovation, investment, skills, start-ups, and small businesses.
Modi urged the governors to build stronger ties in manufacturing, mobility, and next-gen infrastructure. This is in line with India’s growth and development efforts.
Modi mentioned how each side brings unique strengths. He noted that each Japanese prefecture has its own economic and tech advantages, which, combined with India’s talent, can drive growth.
The Role of Youth Exchange
A key topic was exchanging skills. Modi asked for combined work in youth and skills exchange.
He stressed the importance of using Japanese tech with Indian talent, seeing it as a key factor for future growth.
The Japanese governors agreed, saying that state-level collaboration is needed to strengthen business, education, culture, and personal ties.
Context of the India-Japan Summit
The meeting occurred during Modi’s visit to Tokyo for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit. At the summit, a plan for cooperation was created, including a Joint Vision for the Next Decade.”
This vision sets out a 10-year plan that prioritizes cooperation in eight areas, with state-level engagement as a core part. Other areas include economic partnership, economic security, mobility, and tech.
The summit also launched an India-Japan Economic Security Initiative to strengthen supply chains and cooperation in important areas like semiconductors, clean energy, and pharmaceuticals. These agreements pave the way for more specific, state-level collaborations.
During the visit, Japan announced a new investment goal of JPY 10 trillion ($68 billion) in India over the next decade. This commitment supports the state-level partnerships that Modi is encouraging.
A Vision for Future Growth
Modi’s engagement with the governors shows a hands-on approach to economic relations. By bringing in state leaders, the initiative aims to avoid potential slowdowns at the national level.
This plan aims to ensure that the benefits of the India-Japan partnership reach regions across both countries, not just big cities. It’s designed to spread trade, investment, and tech to more areas.
The MEA stated that this model is meant to promote shared progress. This vision of local cooperation builds on existing ties to tackle current economic and tech issues.
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