The India-Japan technology partnership is accelerating, particularly in semiconductors and hardware, positioning both nations as leaders in the digital era. What began as economic exchanges is now a robust strategic alliance countering authoritarian digital influences.
Post the 15th Annual Summit in 2025, focus has sharpened on generative AI, DPI, and chip manufacturing. India’s vast user base and demographic dividend complement Japan’s precision engineering and investment capacity, creating a formidable duo.
At the heart of India’s success is its DPI framework: Aadhaar, UPI, and Agri-Stack have onboarded a billion citizens, fostering inclusion and efficiency. This model is ripe for global scaling through Japanese collaboration.
Spotlight on the Tata-Rohm JV: A $3.2 billion facility in Jagiroad, Assam, will handle assembly and testing of India-designed power semis for EVs. Production ramps up in early 2026, reducing lead times and enhancing auto supply chains.
This synergy leverages Rohm’s expertise and Tata’s OSAT skills, proving India’s manufacturing can meet world-class benchmarks. It mitigates vulnerabilities from past supply shocks, where hardware reliance became a liability.
Japan’s stranglehold on key semi materials makes it an ideal partner. ISM 2.0 and ECMS expansion with ₹40,000 crore invite Japanese SMEs to Indian clusters like Dholera, emphasizing IP ownership in critical tech domains from urban infra to military applications.
Challenges persist, like scaling hardware domestically, but this partnership signals a shift. It’s building supply chain resilience, spurring innovation, and ensuring a democratized digital landscape where India and Japan lead the charge.