India and Japan Launch Major Biogas Initiative
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced the India-Japan Biogas Initiative, under which 1,000 biogas and organic fertiliser plants will be set up across India. The announcement came during a joint statement following bilateral talks with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
Strengthening Energy Security and Rural Prosperity
"Today, we have also taken several important decisions in the field of energy security," PM Modi said. "This will give new strength to sustainability, prosperity, and rural livelihoods in India's villages." He emphasised that the initiative will bolster the existing GOBAR-Dhan scheme, which focuses on converting cattle dung and other organic waste into biogas and compost.
The memorandum of cooperation was signed between India's Ministry of Cooperation, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The pact aims to expand biogas and organic fertiliser production and utilisation for rural prosperity, energy security, and sustainable mobility.
Japanese PM Highlights Collaborative Goals
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the first woman to hold the post, stated in her press statement: "In the area of energy transition, India has set a goal of leveraging cooperatives to secure energy from cow feces to build 1,000 biogas plants. In order to contribute to its achievement, we are launching the Japan-India Cooperative Biogas for Growth or CBG initiative that was introduced by Prime Minister Modi."
PM Modi welcomed Takaichi, referring to her as his "younger sister" (choti Behen). He noted that she is Japan's first female Prime Minister and a visionary, popular leader. "Moreover, she hails from Japan's Nara Prefecture, a vital centre of the shared Buddhist heritage between India and Japan," he added.
16th India-Japan Annual Summit
Takaichi is undertaking an official visit to New Delhi from July 1-3 for the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, the summit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review and strengthen the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation, as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
This is Takaichi's first official visit to India and follows PM Modi's visit to Tokyo in August 2025 for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit. The visit "reflects the shared commitment of the two countries to further enhance India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership," the statement said.
