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Japan–India Mobility Summit 2026: Accelerating the Next-Generation Mobility Partnership
- peeush srivastava
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 minutes ago
As the global automotive industry races toward carbon neutrality, EV transition, and software-defined mobility, a powerful new chapter in Asia’s industrial partnership is set to unfold in Bengaluru. The Japan–India Mobility Summit 2026 brings together policymakers, OEMs, startups, and technology leaders to shape the future of clean energy mobility and digital automotive innovation under the Next-Generation Mobility Partnership.
On 9 March 2026, Bengaluru will host a defining moment in Asia’s transport transformation — the Japan–India Mobility Summit 2026 at Taj Yeshwantpur. Organized by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), JETRO, and NEDO, with support from NITI Aayog and the Embassy of Japan in India, the Summit signals a strategic deepening of the Next-Generation Mobility Partnership (NGMP) launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan in August 2025
At a time when the global automotive industry is undergoing simultaneous EV transition, digitalization, and carbon neutrality commitments, Japan and India are positioning themselves not merely as trading partners — but as co-architects of the future of mobility.
Why the Japan–India Mobility Partnership Matters Now
The transformation of the mobility sector is no longer linear. It is multi-dimensional.
The push toward clean energy mobility demands diverse decarbonization approaches — biofuels, green hydrogen, electrification, hybrid systems, and energy-efficient manufacturing. Japan’s globally respected multi-pathway strategy aligns naturally with India’s expanding EV ecosystem, digital public infrastructure, and manufacturing ambitions.
At the same time, mobility is becoming software-led. The rise of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV), over-the-air (OTA) updates, autonomous driving systems, and integrated digital platforms has reshaped competitiveness. India’s deep pool of digital talent, Global Capability Centers (GCCs), and fast-scaling startups offers critical leverage for global OEMs navigating this transition.
In this context, the Japan–India Mobility Summit 2026 is not just a conference. It is a convergence point for industrial policy, technology, sustainability, and investment.
Inside the Summit: From Policy Vision to Industrial Alignment
According to the official agenda , the Summit brings together government leaders, automotive OEMs, suppliers, startups, and investors across a full-day high-level conference, technical sessions, supplier meetings, and exhibitions.
High-Level Dialogue on Carbon Neutrality
The opening segment features remarks from senior officials of METI and NITI Aayog, alongside industry leadership including Ms. Geetanjali Kirloskar. A keynote address on “The Future of Japan–India Mobility Partnership & Strategy” will frame the long-term roadmap.
A major panel discussion titled “Carbon Neutral in Mobility through Multi-Pathway Strategy” will include leading automotive players such as Maruti Suzuki Motor, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Tata Motors, and SIAM
The focus: how to realistically achieve carbon neutrality while preserving industrial competitiveness and supply chain resilience.
Clean Energy Infrastructure & Manufacturing Collaboration
One of the most anticipated segments is the technical session on Next-Generation Clean Energy Infrastructure & Manufacturing Enhancement
Japanese and Indian companies will explore collaboration in:
Green hydrogen production and applications
Biofuels and alternative fuels
Industrial decarbonization technologies
Advanced material engineering
Energy-efficient manufacturing systems
As countries race toward net-zero commitments, this session underscores a shared belief: decarbonization must be economically viable, technologically flexible, and globally competitive.
Digital Mobility: SDV, GCCs, and Innovation at Scale
Mobility today is increasingly defined by software. The Summit’s Digital Collaboration Session highlights partnerships around:
Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV)
Connected vehicle ecosystems
Autonomous mobility solutions
Data-driven automotive services
Companies such as Toyota Connected, Denso, Honda, Bosch SDV, and KPIT are expected to contribute insights into how Japan–India collaboration can drive digital mobility innovation.
For India’s GCC ecosystem and technology startups, this represents a powerful opportunity — moving beyond cost arbitrage toward co-creation in global R&D value chains.
Startup & OEM Exhibition: Innovation on Display
Running parallel to the conference is a Startup and OEM Exhibition featuring cutting-edge prototypes and technologies across:
Electric vehicles and advanced batteries
Drones and robotics
Autonomous driving systems
Quantum and next-generation automotive technologies
This exhibition reflects a shift in narrative. Innovation is no longer siloed in traditional automotive clusters. It is increasingly collaborative, cross-border, and startup-driven.
India–Japan Automotive Supplier Meeting: From Networking to Deal-Making
A key feature of the Summit is the India–Japan Automotive Supplier Meeting, including pitch sessions and structured B2B engagements.
In a world reshaping supply chains for resilience and sustainability, supplier collaboration becomes central. These meetings are designed not just for dialogue — but for practical business matching, technology transfer, and long-term industrial partnerships.
This is where the Summit’s strategic vision translates into executable outcomes.
Beyond a Summit: Building a Shared Mobility Future
The Japan–India Mobility Summit 2026 represents more than bilateral engagement. It reflects a broader shift in how advanced and emerging economies collaborate in a decarbonizing world.
Japan brings:
Precision manufacturing excellence
Advanced clean-energy technologies
Mature automotive R&D ecosystems
India brings:
Scale and market dynamism
Digital engineering capabilities
Startup-driven innovation
Policy momentum toward green growth
Together, the partnership under the Next-Generation Mobility Partnership (NGMP) framework has the potential to redefine Asia’s mobility landscape — from clean energy supply chains to SDV innovation hubs.
A Strategic Moment for Industry Leaders
As the mobility sector confronts disruption from electrification, AI integration, and sustainability pressures, partnerships grounded in trust and complementarity become invaluable.
Bengaluru — India’s technology capital — is a fitting venue. It symbolizes the convergence of hardware and software, manufacturing and innovation, legacy industry and emerging startups.
The Japan–India Mobility Summit 2026 is not just about vehicles. It is about reimagining mobility ecosystems — cleaner, smarter, more resilient, and globally competitive.
For policymakers, OEMs, suppliers, startups, and investors alike, this Summit offers a front-row seat to the next chapter of India–Japan economic diplomacy in action.
Contact Information
METI Japan – Automotive Division (Kurabayashi), Southwest Asia Office (Watanabe)
JETRO Bengaluru Office – Nakadate / Koshiba / Dashmi Email: inl@jetro.go.jp
NEDO New Delhi Office – Senda / Omiya / Hattori Email: info@nedo
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