With great success, the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce held a special session on “Overview of Japan-India Relationship and Furthering Economic & Business Relationship between Japan and India”. Along with important dignitaries from the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. NAKAGAWA Koichi, the Hon’ble Consul General of Japan in Kolkata, graced the occasion.

The President of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Hari Shankar Halwasiya, extended a hearty greeting to everyone in attendance and shared information about the close political, economic, and cultural links that exist between Japan and India. The event was held in conjunction with Japan Month, an initiative launched by the Embassy of Japan in India to foster trade, investment, and cultural contacts between the two countries.

Mr. NAKAGAWA Koichi, the Hon’ble Consul General of Japan in Kolkata, emphasized throughout the meeting how strong the connection between Japan and India is, based on mutual trust and cooperation, with an emphasis on developing people-to-people, cultural, and economic relationships. He conveyed Japan’s delight at the increasing investment and presence of Japanese businesses in India, pointing out that their economic relationship is based on a solid basis and a dedication to multifaceted cooperation. Speaking to the media, Mr. Koichi reiterated Japan’s commitment to economic cooperation and its position as a reliable partner, as India aims to grow its GDP to $5 trillion by 2025. In addition, Japan is aggressively encouraging connectivity and private investment, welcoming creative concepts, and endeavors to build vital infrastructure and strengthen regional ties.

The gathering offered a forum for enlightening conversations about the changing nature of trade relations between the two nations, with an emphasis on collaborations in important industries like technology, infrastructure, and autos. With a total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of $41.91 billion from April 2000 to March 2024, Japan is notably India’s fifth-largest investor.

The occasion emphasized the roles played by Japanese corporations in India, including Sony, Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi, as well as the important roles played by Indian enterprises in Japan, including Infosys, TCS, and Sun Pharma. With the help of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA), which has been crucial to the success of projects like the Delhi Metro and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train, both nations are collaborating closely to improve their infrastructure synergies.

Priyanka Dutta