India and Japan Deepen Technology Partnership with Quantum and Medical Research Agreements

India’s National Quantum Mission, launched to position the country among global leaders in quantum technologies, was a major focus of the discussions.

India and Japan have significantly strengthened their strategic science and technology partnership with the signing of major cooperation agreements in quantum technologies and medical research, signalling a new phase of bilateral collaboration focused on next-generation innovation, deep-tech development and Indo-Pacific technological leadership.

The high-level engagement took place during the visit of Japan's Minister for Science & Technology Policy and Minister of State for Space Policy, Ms ONODA Kimi, who met Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, in New Delhi.

The discussions centred on expanding cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, particularly in quantum science, health research, advanced computing, artificial intelligence and medical device innovation.

India and Japan Sign Landmark Quantum and Health Technology Agreements

One of the major outcomes of the bilateral engagement was the exchange of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the field of health and medical devices between:

• Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)

• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

• Department of Science and Technology (DST)

The agreement is expected to accelerate collaborative medical research, strengthen healthcare innovation ecosystems and expand joint development of advanced medical technologies between the two countries.

In another major development, India and Japan also signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on cooperation in Quantum Science and Technology between Japan's Cabinet Office and India's Department of Science and Technology.

The agreement opens new pathways for bilateral collaboration in:

• Quantum computing

• Quantum communication

• Quantum sensing

• Quantum materials

• Advanced computational technologies

Experts say the partnership reflects growing global competition and strategic cooperation in quantum technologies, which are expected to transform industries ranging from cybersecurity and defence to healthcare and finance.

Strategic Technology Partnership Expands Under Modi-Japan Framework

The engagement builds upon the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan in August 2025, during which both countries agreed to deepen cooperation under the India-Japan Science, Technology and Innovation Partnership framework.

The evolving partnership now extends across:

• Industry collaboration

• Startup ecosystems

• Deep-tech innovation

• Advanced manufacturing

• Healthcare technologies

• Academic research

• Strategic emerging technologies

Addressing the gathering, Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted the complementary strengths of the two countries.

"India and Japan share a natural synergy in science and technology. While Japan brings advanced technological capabilities, India offers a vast pool of talented human resources. Together, we can accelerate innovation in frontier areas and translate research into impactful societal outcomes," he said.

India Accelerating Push Into Deep-Tech and Quantum Innovation

Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised that India is rapidly expanding its investments in frontier technologies through national missions focused on:

• Quantum technologies

• Cyber-physical systems

• Electric mobility

• Clean energy

• Advanced computing

• Artificial intelligence

He noted that these initiatives are creating new opportunities for:

• Joint research

• Co-development partnerships

• Industrial collaboration

• Technology commercialisation

India's National Quantum Mission, launched to position the country among global leaders in quantum technologies, was a major focus of the discussions.

Officials shared progress on:

• Quantum secure communication networks

• Quantum computing research

• Quantum sensing systems

• Indigenous quantum materials development

Japan Sees Strong Alignment With India's Innovation Ecosystem

Japanese Minister ONODA Kimi praised India's rapid economic growth and expanding innovation ecosystem, particularly the country's large-scale adoption of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

She noted that her interactions with Indian academic institutions reflected a strong culture of resilience and innovation among young Indian researchers.

ONODA Kimi said Japan's strengths in:

• Advanced manufacturing

• Precision engineering

• Computational technologies

• Quantum systems

• Artificial intelligence

align closely with India's rapidly growing technology ecosystem.

She expressed confidence that the newly signed agreements would deepen collaboration across:

• Scientific research

• Industrial deployment

• Technology application

• Innovation commercialisation

India and Japan Explore Quantum Innovation Hubs

During the discussions, Japan shared insights into its extensive network of quantum innovation hubs and global initiatives aimed at industrialisation and standardisation of quantum technologies.

Both sides explored opportunities to strengthen linkages between:

• Indian research institutions

• Japanese quantum hubs

• Academic ecosystems

• Industrial research platforms

The goal is to accelerate innovation, improve technology transfer and support commercial deployment of quantum systems.

Experts say India-Japan collaboration could become increasingly important as countries race to establish leadership in quantum technologies, widely considered among the most strategically significant technologies of the coming decades.

Focus on Research Mobility and Innovation Partnerships

The two countries also reviewed ongoing programmes supporting:

• Researcher mobility

• Joint innovation platforms

• Academic exchange

• Industry internships

• Collaborative R&D programmes

These initiatives allow Indian researchers to undertake collaborative research and industrial training in Japan, helping strengthen scientific and industrial ties between the two nations.

Officials from both sides acknowledged that such programmes are critical for:

• Building global scientific networks

• Enhancing skill development

• Supporting innovation ecosystems

• Encouraging technology transfer

Healthcare and Medical Research Cooperation to Expand

The health and medical technology partnership formed another major pillar of the bilateral engagement.

Both countries discussed expanding cooperation through:

• Joint medical research programmes

• Capacity-building initiatives

• Structured funding arrangements

• Research workshops

• Institutional collaborations

Officials indicated that future collaborative projects may be jointly supported by Indian and Japanese funding agencies, helping accelerate innovation in healthcare technologies and medical devices.

Indo-Pacific Technology Partnership Gains Strategic Importance

The discussions also reflected broader geopolitical and strategic dimensions of India-Japan cooperation.

Both sides highlighted the importance of strengthening science and technology partnerships among like-minded countries to support a "free and open Indo-Pacific."

Analysts say technology collaboration is increasingly becoming a central pillar of Indo-Pacific strategic partnerships as nations seek to strengthen:

• Technological resilience

• Supply-chain security

• Innovation competitiveness

• Strategic autonomy

High-Level Participation Highlights Strategic Significance

The Indian delegation included:

• Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST

• Prof. Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR

• Senior officials associated with international cooperation and quantum initiatives

The Japanese delegation included:

• Mr Fukunaga Tetsuro, Director-General, Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

• Mr Hayashi Teiji, Ambassador for Global Health

• Representatives from AMED

• Officials from the Embassy of Japan in India

The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to intensify collaboration at multiple levels, including:

• Researcher-to-researcher engagement

• Institutional partnerships

• Industry collaboration

• Technology development platforms

Officials described the engagement as another major step in positioning India and Japan as long-term strategic partners in science, technology and innovation.