ENA Global 2026-03-05 13:03:21 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Mar 5 (KNN)</strong> The seventh joint committee meeting under the India Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was held in Tokyo earlier this week, seeking to further diversify and balance the bilateral trade.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The meeting was co-chaired by Rajesh Agrawal, Secretary, Department of Commerce, India and the Senior Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:14px">Review of CEPA Implementation</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">During the meeting, officials from both sides reviewed the progress in implementing the CEPA and discussed ways to further strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The discussions focused on enhancing trade and investment ties and addressing issues related to the agreements implementation.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:14px">Talks with Japans METI Vice Minister</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">On the sidelines of the meeting, Agrawal also met the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The discussions covered bilateral trade and investment, improving the business environment, and preparations for the upcoming 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Agrawal referred to the shared vision outlined by the leaders of both countries during their annual summit in August 2025 and stressed the need to expand and diversify bilateral trade and investment. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">He highlighted the complementary strengths of the two economies, noting Japans capabilities in technology, capital and advanced manufacturing, and Indias skilled workforce, large market and fast-growing economy.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:14px">Scope for Expanding Trade</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The Secretary pointed to significant potential for increasing Indias exports to Japan in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and services. He also underlined the importance of developing a more balanced bilateral trade relationship to support long-term economic sustainability.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Agrawal also interacted with leading representatives of Japanese industry at a roundtable meeting. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">He emphasised that the CEPA provides tariff certainty and regulatory predictability, creating a stable framework to deepen cooperation between India and Japan as trusted partners in global value and supply chains.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span><br /> </p> 45351 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/global/india-japan-review-cepa-implementation-discuss-expanding-trade-investment 2026-03-05 13:03:21 knnindia.co.in