Japan minister visits Kolkata to boost investment, defence ties with West Bengal
Synopsis
Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs visited Kolkata for four days, touring a defence shipyard, meeting West Bengal officials on investment, and paying homage at Netaji Bhawan — signalling that Japan is engaging Indian states directly as both nations approach their 75th diplomatic anniversary.
Key Takeaways
Kunimitsu Ayano , Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited Kolkata and West Bengal from 10 to 13 September 2025 .
Discussions covered Japanese investment promotion in West Bengal and strengthening India-Japan bilateral ties .
Kunimitsu visited Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) to discuss India-Japan defence cooperation .
She also visited Netaji Bhawan , where a relative of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose briefed her on Bose's historical ties with Japan.
Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation ahead of the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations .
Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Kunimitsu Ayano visited Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal from 10 to 13 September 2025, holding talks with senior state government officials on strengthening bilateral ties, promoting Japanese investment, and expanding people-to-people exchanges. The visit, confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday, 15 September by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, comes as the two nations prepare to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.
Key Discussions With Bengal Government
During her four-day visit, Dr. Kunimitsu congratulated the West Bengal government on the formation of its new administration in May this year. Both sides exchanged views on the 'various potential of Japan-India relations' and agreed to work together to deepen bilateral cooperation ahead of the landmark 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic ties.
The Japanese minister highlighted the operating environment of Japanese companies currently active in West Bengal and formally requested state cooperation in facilitating further investment. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Dr. Kunimitsu as saying she 'explained the current situation of Japanese companies in West Bengal and requested the Minister to cooperate for further promoting the investment by Japanese companies.'
Defence Angle: GRSE Visit
A notable highlight of the tour was Dr. Kunimitsu's visit to Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a defence shipyard under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. She held discussions with the company's executive management on ways to advance India-Japan defence cooperation, particularly in the maritime sector. This visit is significant given the growing momentum behind India-Japan collaboration in defence and naval manufacturing — an area both governments have identified as a strategic priority.
Cultural Connect: Netaji Bhawan
Dr. Kunimitsu also visited Netaji Bhawan, the museum dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the Indian independence leader who had deep historical ties with Japan. A relative of Netaji briefed the Japanese minister on the Indian independence movement and Bose's association with Japan — a connection that continues to serve as a symbol of historical goodwill between the two nations.
What the Visit Signals
This visit underlines Japan's strategic interest in expanding its economic footprint in West Bengal, a state that has been actively courting foreign investment in recent years. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in business, tourism, and broader people-to-people exchanges. Notably, this is part of a wider pattern of Japan engaging Indian states directly — not just the Centre — to operationalise its investment commitments on the ground. The 75th anniversary of Japan-India diplomatic relations provides a structured diplomatic moment to accelerate these ties across economic, defence, cultural, and tourism sectors.
Point of View
One that mirrors how China and South Korea have historically operated in India. The GRSE visit is the sharpest signal here: maritime defence manufacturing is a domain where both countries see mutual strategic value, and a state-owned shipyard visit by a Japanese minister carries weight beyond symbolism. The Netaji Bhawan stop, while culturally resonant, also serves a political function — reinforcing historical affinity at a time when India-Japan ties are being deliberately expanded. Whether West Bengal's investment climate can match Tokyo's expectations, however, remains the harder question.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Japan's minister visit Kolkata in September 2025?
Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Kunimitsu Ayano visited Kolkata from 10 to 13 September 2025 to discuss strengthening Japan-India bilateral ties, promoting Japanese investment in West Bengal, and expanding people-to-people exchanges. The visit also included a stop at a defence shipyard, reflecting Japan's growing interest in defence cooperation with India.
What is the significance of Dr. Kunimitsu's visit to GRSE?
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) is a defence shipyard under India's Ministry of Defence, and Dr. Kunimitsu's visit there focused on ways to advance India-Japan maritime and defence cooperation. It signals Japan's concrete interest in expanding collaboration beyond trade into the strategic defence manufacturing sector.
What is the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations?
India and Japan established formal diplomatic relations 75 years ago, and both sides have identified this anniversary as a milestone to deepen cooperation across economic, defence, tourism, and cultural sectors. Dr. Kunimitsu's visit to West Bengal is one of several engagements building toward that anniversary.
What was discussed at Netaji Bhawan during the visit?
At Netaji Bhawan — the museum dedicated to independence leader Subhas Chandra Bose — a relative of Netaji briefed Dr. Kunimitsu on the Indian independence movement and Bose's longstanding historical ties with Japan. The visit was intended to underscore the deep cultural and historical goodwill between the two nations.
How does this visit affect Japanese investment in West Bengal?
Dr. Kunimitsu formally sought the West Bengal government's cooperation in encouraging greater participation by Japanese companies operating in the state. Both sides agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges in business and tourism, signalling Japan's intent to expand its economic footprint in the region.
