PM Narendra Modi, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe Sign New Tech Agreements In AI And Education Sector

Wrapping up his visit to Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week encouraged India's working together with Japan even more closely on digital technology, combining Japan's strength in hardware and India's software prowess to kick-start innovation. PM Modi visited Japan earlier this week for the India-Japan Annual Summit and met the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. During the visit, recognising the unparalleled potential for development of relations between the two countries, PM Modi and PM Abe reviewed the significant milestones achieved over the last four years and outlined a shared vision for the future of India-Japan relations. According to a national newswire, cooperation on 5G wireless technology between the two countries also seems to be in the making. Japanese and Indian technology companies sense an opening as the US and Australia restrict Chinese players like Huawei Technologies from supplying 5G equipment. A hundred times faster than current technology, 5G will form the communications infrastructure for the "internet of things" and self-driving cars. https://twitter.com/PIB_India/status/1056878071003791360 Both leaders welcomed the launching of a comprehensive India-Japan Digital Partnership with the vision to develop IoT and AI solutions for societal benefits. The programme aims at a joint collaboration in emerging technologies by utilising the Japan-India Start-Up Hub in Bengaluru and NASSCOM’s IT corridor project in Hiroshima Prefecture, attracting highly skilled talent and establishing collaboration between their respective industries and institutions. This will bring about a convergence between India’s flagship programmes such as Digital India, Start-Up India and Smart City with Japan’s Society 5.0 to promote societal benefits. Both sides will encourage and support the creation of funds to invest in start-ups in India with participation by Japanese stakeholders. Here are some of the announcement and agreements closed between India and Japan during PM Modi's visit:

1. Implementing arrangement for deeper cooperation between Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and Indian Navy
2.  MoC between Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Japan-India Digital Partnership
3.  Statement of Intent between NITI Aayog and Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI), Japan on artificial intelligence to encourage and develop cooperation on AI-based technologies
4. Memorandum of Understanding on further cooperation toward Indo-Japan Global Startup between Nagasaki University and IIITDM Kancheepuram
5. MoU on the academic and educational exchange between Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad and Hiroshima University