Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Goyal Pitches India’s Scale to Japanese Businesses and Investors
India’s commerce minister, Piyush Goyal, is visiting Japan to encourage Japanese companies to invest in India.
He said Japan has advanced technology and strong business methods.
India has a large population, a big market and growing supply-chain abilities.
Goyal believes the two countries can help each other compete around the world.
A business group of about 200 people is traveling with him.
India and Japan traded $27.47 billion worth of goods in 2025-26.
However, India bought much more from Japan than it sold to Japan.
The countries are discussing ways to increase investment and make trade more balanced.
Piyush Goyal said India’s large market and supply-chain capabilities can complement Japan’s technology and business expertise.
Goyal is leading a delegation of about 200 representatives across Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka during a four-day Japan visit.
Japan has set a 10 trillion yen investment target for India over the next decade.
India-Japan bilateral trade rose 9.18% to $27.47 billion in 2025-26, but India recorded a deficit of about $15.4 billion.
India is seeking more Japanese investment while pursuing a review of the India-Japan CEPA and expanding its global FTA network.
- Who
- India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, a delegation of about 200 business representatives, and Japanese companies and investors.
- What
- India is pitching its market size, supply-chain capabilities and free-trade access as advantages for Japanese investment and global competitiveness.
- When
- During Goyal’s four-day visit to Japan; the cited trade figures cover financial year 2025-26.
- Where
- Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, Japan.
- Why
- India wants to attract more Japanese investment, strengthen supply chains, expand economic cooperation and address its trade deficit with Japan.
India’s Investment Pitch
Trade and Business Concerns
Economic complementarity
India’s Investment Pitch
India says its large domestic market, workforce, manufacturing ecosystem and supply-chain capabilities can provide Japanese companies with scale and a competitive advantage.
Trade and Business Concerns
The articles do not identify a Japanese rejection of this pitch, but note that Japanese companies have raised concerns about India’s quality-control requirements.
Trade balance
India’s Investment Pitch
India wants stronger economic ties and a review of the CEPA to help create a more balanced trade relationship.
Trade and Business Concerns
The current relationship is heavily tilted toward Japan: India’s imports from Japan exceeded its exports by about $15.4 billion in 2025-26.
Sectoral cooperation
India’s Investment Pitch
India is seeking Japanese capital in advanced manufacturing, electronics, semiconductors, automotive, clean energy and digital technologies.
Trade and Business Concerns
Indian steel producers have expressed concern about rising imports of Japanese steel products.
- Japanese investment target
- Japan has set a target of 10 trillion yen in investment in India over the next decade.
- Bilateral trade
- India-Japan trade reached $27.47 billion in 2025-26, up from $25.16 billion in 2024-25.
- India’s exports
- India exported $6.03 billion to Japan in 2025-26.
- India’s imports
- India imported $21.43 billion from Japan in 2025-26.
- Trade deficit
- India’s trade deficit with Japan was about $15.4 billion in 2025-26, compared with $12.66 billion the previous year.
- Japanese FDI in India
- Japan invested $48.14 billion in India between April 2000 and March 2026, representing about 6% of total FDI attracted during that period.
- Business delegation
- The delegation includes representatives from manufacturing, semiconductors, clean energy, steel, automotive, financial services, healthcare and start-ups.