Assam seeks deeper Japanese ties in semiconductors and clean energy

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma (left) and Japanese Ambassador to India Ono Keiichi during a meeting in Delhi on July 6, 2026. | Photo credit: X/@fromthis

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state is looking to deepen its engagement with Japan in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy and skill development as Assam seeks to become a key hub in the expanding India-Japan partnership.

In a post on X after meeting Japanese Ambassador to India Ono Keiichi at the envoy’s residence in the national capital on Monday (July 6, 2026), Mr Sarma said the two sides had a “productive exchange” on the outcomes of the recent India-Japan summit and the opportunities it could open up for Assam.

“I am grateful to HE Mr. Ono Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to India, for hosting me at his residence in New Delhi for a traditional Japanese Cha-no-yu tea ceremony,” Mr. Sarma wrote, adding that discussions covered semiconductor research, clean energy and Japanese language learning.

I am grateful to HE Mr. Ono Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to India, for hosting me at his residence in New Delhi for the traditional Japanese Cha-no-yu tea ceremony.

We had a productive exchange of views on emerging collaboration opportunities and discussed the results of a recent… pic.twitter.com/1FzfkPJjLw

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 6, 2026

The meeting assumes significance as Assam steps up efforts to attract Japanese investment and technical cooperation in high-tech manufacturing, renewable energy, infrastructure and human resource development. Mr. Sarma said that Assam would like to play a greater role in advancing the special strategic and global partnership between India and Japan and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to contribute to the growing relationship between the two countries.

Japan has already emerged as an important partner in Assam’s semiconductor ambitions, particularly the Tata group’s ₹27,000 crore semiconductor assembly and testing facility at Jagiroad in Morigaon district. The project, one of the largest industrial investments in the state, is expected to anchor the wider electronics and semiconductor ecosystem in Assam and generate substantial employment.

In recent months, the state government has highlighted Japan’s potential role in supporting this ecosystem through technology collaboration, supply chain linkages, precision manufacturing and workforce training. Assam is also positioning itself as a strategic location for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, citing improving infrastructure, political support and proximity to Southeast Asian markets.

The latest outreach to Japan comes amid a broader push by the Assam government to use global partnerships to boost industrial growth in emerging sectors. Officials see semiconductors, green energy and skills as central to the strategy, with Japanese expertise seen as particularly valuable in building industrial capacity and a skilled workforce.

The engagement with the Japanese envoy is also seen as part of Assam’s attempt to align its industrial plans with the broader priorities of the India-Japan strategic partnership, which is increasingly expanding to technology, resilient supply chains and clean energy.

Published – July 7, 2026 12:18 PM IST