New Delhi, May 5 — The third Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Healthcare between India and Japan was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, co-chaired by India’s Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Japan’s Minister in charge of Healthcare Policy Kimi Onoda.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava welcomed the delegations, underscoring that the India–Japan partnership is grounded in mutual respect and trust. She described the JCM, conducted under the India–Japan Memorandum of Cooperation, as a vital forum for regular dialogue and deeper mutual understanding, and expressed confidence that the talks would be productive and forward-looking.
Minister Nadda said the meeting reflects both countries’ determination to expand cooperation and forge new health partnerships under the Memorandum of Cooperation in Healthcare and Wellness. He highlighted shared goals such as strengthening health systems, widening access to services, and promoting innovation to improve health outcomes, while reiterating India’s commitment to inclusive development under the Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas approach.
Minister Onoda affirmed Japan’s continued engagement and emphasized innovation, technology, and research as central pillars of bilateral healthcare cooperation, pledging to further intensify collaboration.
The two sides discussed several priority areas:
– Non-communicable diseases (NCDs): India outlined a shifting disease profile with rising NCD prevalence and presented a response framework focused on screening, maintaining a continuum of care, and sustained health-promotion efforts aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Japan shared initiatives on cancer screening, early diagnosis, and capacity-building for treatment systems.
– Supply chain resilience and access: India highlighted the scale of its pharmaceutical and medical device sectors and described policies to boost domestic manufacturing, reduce import dependence, and ensure affordable access. Japan outlined a coordinated public–private approach to strengthen access, build resilient supply chains, and deploy technology through partnerships.
– Digital health: India showcased its Digital Public Infrastructure under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, aimed at creating an interoperable, secure, and citizen-centric health ecosystem with growing uptake. Japan contributed lessons on system integration, AI-enabled medical technologies, and joint research on digital platforms.
– Human resources and exchanges: India described policies and regulatory measures to support a skilled health workforce, along with pathways for exchanges, joint training, and mutual recognition of competencies. Japan reviewed existing cooperation frameworks for collaborative research, personnel exchanges, and scientific collaboration.
In closing remarks, Minister Nadda said the discussions provided renewed momentum to the India–Japan health partnership and set a clear course for building resilient, inclusive health systems. He noted the meeting’s outcomes offer a strong basis for turning shared intentions into concrete benefits for citizens of both countries. Minister Onoda reiterated Japan’s commitment to strengthening the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership in health, and both sides expressed optimism about deepening cooperation to improve health outcomes.
