Japan an important part of India's Act East Policy: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday affirmed that Japan is an important part of India's Act East Policy and the two nations are working together to promote peace in the Indo-Pacific as Quad members.

"What is important is the fact that the United States, whether it's in Japan or India, we all believe in a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said in an interview with NDTV.

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India is raising trade-related regulatory concerns with Japan to help expand the country's exports, the trade minister said as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is in India for a three-day visit for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on boosting trade, investment and strategic cooperation between the two Asian partners.

He highlighted PM Modi is nurturing India-Japan ties, adding that New Delhi shares a strategic relationship with Tokyo.

Japan committed to invest $65-70 billion in India earlier with tech, investment and trade among key areas of collaboration.


Goyal's remarks come at a time when PM Modi is holding bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart Takaichi in New Delhi as the two countries seek to deepen their Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Prior to arriving at the Hyderabad House, the Japanese PM was accorded a formal welcome and ceremonial guard of honour at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"Further strengthening our special partnership. PM @takaichi_sanae of Japan was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Forecourt of @rashtrapatibhvn. A partnership for the future, built on trust and rooted in shared values," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X.

During the official visit, she is set to participate in the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, which is expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest.

According to the MEA, the summit will provide an opportunity for both leaders to strengthen cooperation across strategic, economic, technological and security domains.

Takaichi's visit is expected to focus on boosting investment and innovation, strengthening economic ties, and enhancing resilient supply chains in critical sectors such as semiconductors and critical minerals between the two countries.