Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described the partnership between India and Japan as a “bond of culture and trust,” underscoring the deep-rooted ties that extend beyond diplomacy.
Speaking at an event in Ahmedabad after flagging off the e-VITARA, Suzuki’s first global strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), at the company’s Hansalpur plant, the Prime Minister noted that India’s relationship with Suzuki has now reached “bullet train speed.”
He also inaugurated a lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility for hybrid electric vehicles, a joint venture of Toshiba, Denso, and Suzuki, marking a major step in India’s electric mobility mission.
“Next week I will be visiting Japan. Our ties with Japan are not limited to official relations; they represent a bond of culture and trust. India and Japan see their progress reflected in each other’s growth. What began with Maruti Suzuki has now advanced to the speed of a bullet train,” PM Modi said.
Recalling Gujarat’s role in shaping this partnership, he added, “The effort to realize the industrial potential of the India–Japan partnership began here. When we launched the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 20 years ago, Japan was a key partner. For a small state of a developing country to attract investment from a developed nation like Japan demonstrated the strength of this relationship.”
Reflecting on his interactions with Japanese partners, the Prime Minister noted their strong cultural identity. “I observed that Japanese people value their cultural ecosystem deeply—just as Gujaratis do with their cuisine and traditions,” he said.
PM Modi also paid tribute to the late Osamu Suzuki, recalling his contributions to India’s automobile sector. He noted with pride that the Government of India had conferred the Padma Vibhushan on him and said it was gratifying to see the expansion of his vision for Maruti Suzuki India.
Highlighting the importance of self-reliance in clean energy, the Prime Minister emphasized that until recently, India had been importing all its EV batteries. “In 2017, the foundation of the TDSG battery plant was laid with a vision for domestic production. Now, under a new initiative, Suzuki, Toshiba, and Denso will manufacture battery cells in India for the first time, including localized electrode production. This will strengthen India’s EV ecosystem and accelerate hybrid vehicle growth,” he said.
PM Modi also stressed the growing people-to-people ties between India and Japan, particularly in skill development and human resources, and urged companies like Maruti Suzuki to promote youth exchange programmes.
With the launch of the e-VITARA, India will now serve as Suzuki’s global hub for manufacturing electric vehicles, exporting to more than 100 countries, including Europe and Japan. The inauguration of the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant in Gujarat, which will localize over 80% of battery value, marks another milestone in clean energy innovation.
The Prime Minister will travel to Japan from August 29–30 to attend the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit. This will be his eighth visit to Japan and his first summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. (Source: ANI)
