12th India-Japan Joint Working Group Meeting on Roads and Road Transportation Sector

The 12th session of the India-Japan Joint Working Group (JWG) on Roads and Road Transportation Sector was held on 15 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) organised the meeting, which brought together officials from both governments, institutions and industry.

Core Focus Areas of the 12th India-Japan Joint Working Group

The meeting worked as a platform to strengthen road cooperation between the two countries. The discussions centred on two themes.

Advanced Construction and Engineering

Both sides focused on modern construction technologies and on tunnel and bridge engineering.

Sustainable and Digital Road Management

The group also discussed sustainable infrastructure and the use of new digital technologies in managing roads. Planning, construction, operation and maintenance of road infrastructure were all covered.

Key Leadership and Participation in the 12th India-Japan Meet

1. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari
2. Japanese delegation led by Mr. Koichi Hagiuda and Mr. Hiroshi Suzuki

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has repeatedly called for world-class, safe, efficient, and technology-driven roads, including bridges and tunnels. Following a whole-of-government approach, the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Power also took part. Experts from Indian and Japanese technical institutions and industry shared their experience through technical presentations and question-and-answer sessions.

Technology Areas Discussed During the Meeting

The sessions focused on exchanging technical knowledge, experience and best practices. Participants discussed how innovative technologies and sustainable methods can improve the quality, efficiency and management of roads. The emphasis was on tunnel and bridge engineering, advanced construction methods and digital tools for road management.

Importance of the 12th JWG Meeting for India-Japan Bilateral Relations

1. The meeting reaffirmed that technology, sustainable construction and expert exchange are central to India-Japan cooperation in transport infrastructure. 
2. It also supports the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which aims to make India a developed nation by its 100th year of Independence.
3.  Better roads support economic growth, improve connectivity, make logistics more efficient and open up opportunities across regions.