India-Japan Deepen Healthcare Ties at 3rd Joint Committee, Focus on Innovation, Tech & Research

Digital health emerged as another key area of collaboration, with India highlighting progress under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to build an interoperable ecosystem and Japan sharing advancements in AI-enabled healthcare technologies and system integration.

The 3rd Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Healthcare between India and Japan in New Delhi highlighted a renewed push to deepen bilateral cooperation, with both countries focusing on building stronger, more accessible, and innovation-driven health systems.

Held under the framework of the India–Japan Memorandum of Cooperation in Healthcare and Wellness, the meeting brought together senior officials to review progress and identify new areas of collaboration. It was co-chaired by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Japan’s Minister in charge of healthcare policy, Kimi Onoda.

"Speaking at the meeting, Nadda said India–Japan healthcare cooperation is guided by a shared goal of improving health systems, expanding access, and promoting innovation for better health outcomes. He reiterated India’s commitment to inclusive development under “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”

The dialogue emphasized emerging healthcare challenges, particularly the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. India outlined its approach focusing on early screening, diagnosis, and continuity of care, while Japan shared its expertise in cancer detection and treatment systems supported by technical collaboration.

Kimi Onoda highlighted Japan’s continued focus on innovation, technology, and research and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The discussions also covered strengthening healthcare infrastructure through resilient supply chains and improved access to quality medical products. India showcased its capabilities in pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing with an emphasis on affordability, while Japan presented its public–private partnership model to enhance efficiency and quality.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava noted that the partnership is built on mutual trust and a shared vision for future-ready health systems.

Digital health emerged as another key area of collaboration, with India highlighting progress under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to build an interoperable ecosystem and Japan sharing advancements in AI-enabled healthcare technologies and system integration.

In addition, both countries explored opportunities to strengthen human resources in healthcare through training programmes, academic exchanges, and joint research initiatives, reinforcing long-term collaboration in the sector.

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