Japan and India are set to deepen energy cooperation through a new framework aimed at promoting vehicles powered by biogas, with both governments planning to support the expansion of methane-based fuel production in India.
Under the proposed initiative, the two countries aim to increase the number of Indian facilities producing methane from fermented cow dung for use in compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to 1,000 plants, Daily News reported.
The framework will receive support from Suzuki Motor, which holds the largest share of India’s passenger vehicle market. The company has already begun producing biogas in India with assistance from Japanese Government subsidies directed toward Global South initiatives.
The two governments are expected to formalise the cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding during Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s three-day visit to India beginning Wednesday.
As part of the visit, Takaichi is scheduled to hold summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting had originally been planned in Guwahati, Assam, before being shifted to the national capital at India’s request.
India views the initiative as part of broader efforts to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on imported crude oil. With a population of around 1.4 billion, India remains the world’s third-largest energy consumer after China and the United States.
Suzuki’s involvement aligns with India’s growing interest in alternative fuels and compressed natural gas vehicles, which now account for more than 20 per cent of new passenger vehicle sales in the country.
The proposed expansion of biogas infrastructure is expected to support cleaner mobility while creating additional domestic energy sources.
Takaichi’s visit marks her first trip to India since taking office in October last year and forms part of the ongoing reciprocal diplomatic engagements between the two countries.
Japanese officials said the visit is also intended to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas linked to economic growth and economic security amid shifting global geopolitical and trade dynamics.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan intends to further strengthen its strategic relationship with India by expanding cooperation in areas that support economic development and long-term security interests.
