A New Era of India-Japan cooperation in Science and Technology

India and Japan are strengthening their science and technology partnership through collaboration in AI, quantum computing, and space missions like LUPEX. This evolving alliance integrates innovation, startups, and research ecosystems, positioning both nations as leaders in global scientific advancement and sustainable development.

The bilateral relationship between India and Japan has long been characterized by mutual respect and strategic alignment. However, as the global landscape shifts toward a digital-first, innovation-driven economy, this partnership has entered into a transformative phase. On April 6, 2026, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, addressed the grand finale of the India-Japan Year of Science, Technology, and Innovation Exchange in Tokyo, along with the celebration of National Science Day, under the theme “Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat”. This marks four decades of scientific cooperation between India and Japan. This milestone underscores a shift from traditional diplomatic ties to a deep, frontier-tech integration aimed at addressing global challenges of the 21st-century.

A Legacy of Forty Years

The foundation of Indo-Japanese scientific engagement was laid forty years ago but it is the last decade that has seen an unprecedented acceleration. Dr. Singh highlighted that since 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the collaboration has evolved from simple academic exchanges into high-stakes joint ventures in space, medicine and quantum physics, and this India-Japan cooperation in science and technology is a strong pillar of India’s global engagement.

A cornerstone of this legacy is the Sakura Science Program, which has enabled approximately 7,000 Indian students to visit Japan since 2015. This program serves as a bridge, exposing young Indian minds to Japan’s world-class research infrastructure while providing Japan with access to India’s burgeoning pool of scientific talent. The reciprocity was further cemented when the Department of Science and Technology (DST) invited Japanese students to India, fostering a two-way flow of intellectual capital.

Nagma Mohamed Mallick, Head of Mission from India to Japan at seminar

Strategic Frontiers: AI, Quantum and Space

As the partnership enters its fifth decade, the focus has pivoted toward "frontier technologies." Dr. Singh identified Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Quantum Technology as the primary pillars of future cooperation now. These are not merely academic interests; they are the engines of the next industrial revolution.

In the realm of space, the collaboration has reached lunar proportions. The LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) project, a joint mission between ISRO and JAXA, aims to explore the Moon’s south pole. This follows the historic success of India’s Chandrayaan-3, blending India’s cost-effective engineering prowess with Japan’s advanced rover technology. Furthermore, the Indian Beamline at Tsukuba continues to facilitate cutting-edge materials science research, proving that the physical infrastructure of this partnership spans across borders.

Key Milestones in India-Japan S&T Cooperation (2024-2026)

Initiative	Objective
LUPEX Project	Joint ISRO-JAXA mission to land on the Moon's South Pole.
Lotus Program	Japan's initiative to support 1000 Indian researchers annually.
Medical MOC	Cooperation between AMED (Japan) and ICMR (India) for healthcare R&D.
SMR Development	Exploration of Small Modular Reactors for clean nuclear energy.

Innovation and the Startup Ecosystem

One of the most significant shifts in the bilateral narrative is the focus on the startup ecosystem. India currently ranks 3rd globally in the number of startups and unicorns, a meteoric rise from its 80th position in the Global Innovation Index in 2014. Dr. Singh emphasized that Japan is a "trusted partner" where Japanese hardware and precision technology can seamlessly integrate with India’s software talent and data-driven innovation.

The announcement of a Joint Centre for Accelerating Innovation signals a move toward commercializing scientific breakthroughs. By involving multiple stakeholders- academia, R&D institutions and entrepreneurs- the two nations aim to create a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) that contributes to global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Nagma Mohamed Mallick, Mission Head of India to Japan, and SHIMADA Tomoaki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Inclusion and Global Leadership

A recurring theme in Dr. Singh’s address was the democratization of science. The Minister underscored the commitment to providing equal opportunities for women scientists and young researchers. The partnership is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that the "youth dividend" of India is prepared for global leadership.

The scope of cooperation has also expanded into energy security. With the Indian government opening the nuclear sector to non-government entities, the development of Bharat Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) presents a new frontier for Japanese investment and technical collaboration. This aligns with the global push for carbon neutrality and sustainable energy transitions.

Conclusion: A Shared Vision for 2030

The dedication of 2025-26 as the India-Japan Year of Science, Technology and Innovation Exchange is more than a ceremonial gesture; it is a roadmap for the next decade. As the two nations make efforts to synchronize their efforts in cybersecurity, biotechnology and vaccine production, they are not just looking after their own interests but are positioning themselves as stabilizers in a global market characterized by volatility.

The synergy between "Japan's technology and India's talent" creates a formidable partnership. As Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded, the strength of this partnership lies in its ability to adapt. From the unveiling of Sir C.V. Raman’s bust at Shimane University (in 2025) to the complex calculations of quantum cryptography, the Indo-Japanese relationship remains a beacon of how bilateral cooperation can drive the global scientific frontier. The next phase of this journey promises to be one of shared prosperity that is driven by the relentless pursuit of innovation.

Image CG of the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) project (Source: JAXA)

About the Author

Kaveri Jain is a doctoral researcher in International Relations at the Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida. Her work focuses on India-Japan relations during the Shinzo Abe era. She has presented at academic conferences, published in peer-reviewed platforms and written on various aspects of India-Japan ties, including foreign policy, technology cooperation, cultural exchange, diaspora diplomacy and engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.