India and Japan Hold First AI Strategic Dialogue in Mumbai to Deepen Technology Cooperation

India and Japan have taken a major step in expanding their technology partnership, holding the first India–Japan Artificial Intelligence Strategic Dialogue in Mumbai on April 21, 2026. The dialogue marks a new phase in bilateral cooperation on emerging technologies, with artificial intelligence now becoming a central pillar of the India–Japan strategic relationship.

The meeting was co-chaired by Amit A. Shukla, Joint Secretary for Cyber Diplomacy in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Hanada Takahiro, Deputy Assistant Minister for Cyber Security in Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials from ministries, departments and agencies of both governments participated, along with representatives from the AI industry, giving the dialogue both a policy and industry-driven character.

The discussions focused on cooperation across the full AI ecosystem, including policy convergence, co-creation, industrial AI applications, talent mobility, joint research, academic exchanges and AI governance. Both sides underlined the need to build a robust, innovative and trustworthy AI ecosystem, reflecting a shared concern that artificial intelligence must be developed not only for productivity and growth, but also with safety, reliability and responsible governance at its core.

A major focus of the dialogue was the development of industry-oriented AI solutions. This is significant because India brings a large digital talent base, strong software capability and rapidly expanding AI adoption, while Japan brings deep strengths in advanced manufacturing, robotics, precision engineering, electronics, semiconductors and industrial automation. Together, the two countries can build AI systems not merely for consumer apps, but for factories, logistics, healthcare, mobility, cyber security, public services and next-generation industrial platforms.

The dialogue builds on the India–Japan AI Cooperation Initiative, announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan in August 2025. That initiative was positioned as part of the broader India–Japan Joint Vision for the Next Decade, which aims to deepen cooperation in technology, innovation and strategic sectors.

The Mumbai meeting also carried a wider geopolitical and economic message. As AI becomes a defining technology for national competitiveness, supply chains, cyber security, defence, healthcare and industrial growth, India and Japan are attempting to create a structured mechanism for long-term cooperation. The dialogue gives both countries a platform to align policies, support start-ups and research institutions, promote talent exchange and coordinate positions on global AI governance.

Both countries also agreed to hold the next round of the AI Strategic Dialogue in Japan at mutually convenient dates, indicating that this will not remain a one-off meeting but could become a continuing bilateral mechanism for technology diplomacy.