Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Goyal’s Japan Visit Spurs Robotics Investment, Trade Ambitions
India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited Japan with a large business group.
He met Japanese companies and encouraged them to invest in India.
One robotics company reportedly found an Indian company to work with and make robots in India.
The visit also covered semiconductors, electronics, artificial intelligence, energy and other industries.
India wants the number of Japanese companies operating there to grow from about 1,500 to 3,000.
The two countries have started discussing changes to their trade agreement.
Both sides will protect issues they consider sensitive during the talks.
India and Japan also want to increase their total trade to USD 50 billion by 2030.
A Japanese robotics company identified an Indian partner for investment and manufacturing within days of talks.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal led a nearly 200-member delegation during his August 24–27 Japan visit.
India sought Japanese investment in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data centres, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.
India and Japan began discussions to review their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, while acknowledging sensitive issues.
Bilateral trade reached USD 27.47 billion in FY 2025–26, with a target of USD 50 billion by 2030.
- Who
- Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal led an Indian business delegation and met Japanese companies and industry representatives.
- What
- The visit promoted Japanese investment and business cooperation in India, including a potential robotics manufacturing investment.
- When
- Goyal’s four-day visit took place from August 24 to August 27; the robotics opportunity was identified between Monday and Thursday during the visit.
- Where
- Japan, including Tokyo and Osaka, with proposed manufacturing in India.
- Why
- India and Japan are seeking stronger trade, investment and technology partnerships, while India addresses regulatory concerns and reviews their trade agreement.
Government and Investment Optimism
Business Caution and Negotiating Concerns
Early investment results
Government and Investment Optimism
Piyush Goyal said the visit was already producing results, citing a Japanese robotics company’s identification of an Indian manufacturing partner.
Business Caution and Negotiating Concerns
The article describes the robotics opportunity as a potential investment and does not provide the companies’ names, investment amount or finalized agreement.
Regulatory environment
Government and Investment Optimism
Goyal said India would amend existing regulations and introduce new rules within two months to address concerns from companies considering manufacturing operations.
Business Caution and Negotiating Concerns
Companies have raised regulatory concerns, indicating that unresolved rules remain an issue for potential investors.
Trade agreement review
Government and Investment Optimism
India and Japan have begun reviewing their trade agreement to support deeper economic ties.
Business Caution and Negotiating Concerns
Goyal acknowledged that both countries must protect their respective sensitive issues as negotiations progress.
- Delegation size
- Nearly 200 people from India and global industry participated in the visit.
- Robotics outcome
- A company contacted in Tokyo identified an Indian company for investment and robot manufacturing in India by Thursday.
- Japanese companies in India
- Around 1,500 Japanese companies currently operate in India.
- Expansion target
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of increasing that number to 3,000.
- Bilateral trade
- India-Japan trade stood at USD 27.47 billion in FY 2025–26.
- Trade goal
- Industry bodies and officials are targeting USD 50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
- Trade agreement
- India and Japan have begun talks to review the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
- Diplomatic milestone
- 2026 is designated as the India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.