Growing Together: Enhancing India-Japan Trade Via MSME’s Collaboration

India and Japan have shifted from a traditional diplomatic tie to a more strategic alliance, toward development of technologies, operational capabilities of micro small and medium enterprises. This alliance is especially important because it enables transfer of high-tech and advanced Japanese manufacturing capabilities. The National Institute for MSME (NI MSME), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) through a qualitative analysis of the India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership (IJICP) harnessing Japan’s expertise through MSME’s cooperation provides India a path to achieve its “VIKSIT BHARAT 2047” vision. The research gap is the macro infrastructure projects with high FDI on a large scale and the broader policy framework. There is no ground level tech transfer, quality standards, and B2B disconnect; the MSME operational gap is neglected. This paper fills the gap and analyzes how this collaboration in MSME sector can provide a vital mechanism for establishing reliable supply chains and the policy framework to have secured supply chain management in this critical era. The major strength of the study is the comprehensive policy framework. Barriers still remain such as information barriers and regulatory complications. The paper concludes with policy implications and recommendations on the way forward to bridge the gap and further deepening the ties between the two nations.

Strategic alliance, Bilateral engagement, India-Japan Trade, Viksit Bharat, Policy Implication, Policy Suggestion.

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