India, Japan hold 7th CEPA meeting to boost economic engagement

India and Japan held the 7th Joint Committee Meeting on their CEPA in Tokyo to review its implementation and boost economic ties. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met officials to discuss trade, investment, and improving the business environment.

The 7th Joint Committee Meeting under the India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was held on March 2 in Tokyo, Japan. The meeting was co-chaired by Secretary, Department of Commerce, Rajesh Agrawal, Government of India, and the Senior Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan. Both sides reviewed issues relating to the implementation of the CEPA and deliberated on ways to further strengthen bilateral economic engagement.

High-Level Talks on Bilateral Trade and Investment

On the sidelines of the meeting, Agrawal, met the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Discussions covered a wide range of issues, including bilateral trade and investment, improving the business environment, and the upcoming 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Emphasizing Economic Complementarities

During the meeting with the METI Vice Minister, Agrawal highlighted the shared vision articulated by the leaders of both countries during the Annual Summit in August 2025 and underscored the need to enhance and diversify bilateral trade and investment. He emphasized the strong complementarities between the two economies--Japan's strengths in technology, capital, and advanced manufacturing, and India's skilled workforce, large market, and rapidly growing economy. He stressed the importance of harnessing the full benefits of the CEPA, including the movement of natural persons as envisaged during the Leaders' Summit.

Focus on Indian Exports and Balanced Trade

Agrawal noted the significant potential for growth in Indian exports to Japan in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and services. He also underlined the importance of achieving a more balanced bilateral trade relationship to ensure long-term sustainability.

Engaging with Japanese Industry Leaders

The Commerce Secretary further engaged with leading representatives of Japanese industry during a roundtable interaction.

Trade and Investment Roadshow

In the evening, a Trade and Investment Roadshow was organized by the Embassy of India in Japan in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Keidanren, focusing on promoting trade from India and facilitating greater investment flows from Japanese companies.

Agrawal apprised participants of India's conducive policy environment for trade and investment, including ongoing measures to improve ease of doing business and simplified regulatory processes. He emphasized that the CEPA provides a stable framework ensuring tariff certainty and regulatory predictability, thereby fostering a facilitative environment for deeper collaboration between India and Japan as trusted partners in global value and supply chains. (ANI)

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