As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Japan to deepen strategic and economic ties, it is worth remembering that the foundations of India-Japan friendship were laid long before the 21st century. In fact, the story of bilateral trade between the two nations goes back to the visionary meeting of two great pioneers—Jamsetji Tata, the father of Indian industry, and Eiichi Shibusawa, the father of Japanese capitalism—in 1893.
The First Bridge of Trade
In 1893, Japan was in the midst of the Meiji Restoration, a period of rapid modernization and industrial expansion. That same year, Tata and Shibusawa met, and the Japanese shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kaisha (part of the Mitsubishi Group) launched its regular ocean route from Bombay (Mumbai). This marked the beginning of a structured trade relationship between India and Japan.
The Tata Group, which began as a trading company, soon started importing cotton from India and exporting coal from Japan. This exchange not only strengthened economic ties but also symbolized the start of a long-lasting friendship between the two nations.
A Legacy Preserved in History
These early connections are not forgotten. Both the Nippon Yusen Museum and the Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Foundation in Japan proudly document this important chapter in history, highlighting how trade links paved the way for mutual respect and trust.
Foundations for Modern Partnerships
The seeds sown in 1893 have grown into a robust partnership that continues to expand across diverse fields—technology, energy, infrastructure, and cultural exchange. Today, India and Japan stand as strategic global partners, but at their core, their relationship is rooted in the vision of two leaders who believed in cooperation beyond borders.
From Then to Now
As PM Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba outline new areas of cooperation—from clean energy to digital innovation—it is worth recalling that the India-Japan story began with ships, cotton, and coal. What started as trade has now blossomed into one of the most trusted international partnerships in the world.
The spirit of Jamsetji Tata and Eiichi Shibusawa continues to inspire India and Japan to look ahead—not just as trading partners, but as collaborators shaping the future of Asia and the world.
