New Delhi: Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Secretary of the Department of Commerce for the Government of India, spearheaded discussions in Tokyo on 2 March 2026 during the 7th Joint Committee Meeting of the India–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Acting as co-chair alongside Japan’s Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shri Agrawal led a comprehensive review of the agreement’s implementation and explored strategic avenues to intensify bilateral economic engagement.
On the sidelines of the primary meeting, Shri Agrawal met with the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to discuss trade, investment, and the upcoming 14th WTO Ministerial Conference. He highlighted the vision set by national leaders during the August 2025 Annual Summit, emphasizing the need to diversify trade by leveraging Japan’s technological capital alongside India’s skilled workforce and expanding market. Shri Agrawal specifically advocated for the movement of natural persons as a key component of the CEPA benefits.
The Secretary noted substantial growth potential for Indian exports in textiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and services, stressing that a more balanced trade relationship is vital for long-term sustainability. Shri Agrawal also engaged with Japanese industry leaders during a roundtable and a Trade and Investment Roadshow organized by the Embassy of India, CII, and Keidanren. Throughout these interactions, he promoted India’s stable policy environment and regulatory predictability, inviting Japanese companies to deepen their collaboration within global supply chains as trusted partners.