Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi jointly inaugurated Maruti Suzuki India's new manufacturing facility at Kharkhoda in Haryana on Thursday via video conferencing, marking one of the biggest investments in India's automobile sector in recent years.
The inauguration was held as part of the India-Japan Economic Forum, where over 150 Japanese companies participated as the two countries looked to deepen cooperation across manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, clean energy and mobility. It coincided with the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, held during Takaichi's first official visit to India as Prime Minister, from July 1 to 3.
Also read: PM Modi accords ceremonial welcome to Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi
Ahead of the visit, Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said in a post on X that he hoped the visit would lead to "concrete and remarkable development in Japan-India economic relations."
Citing Japanese daily The Yomiuri Shimbun, Ozaki said around 120 cooperation initiatives worth nearly 2 trillion yen (about $12.5 billion) were expected to be announced during the visit. The figure sits within a broader 10 trillion yen, ten-year private investment commitment from Japan to India agreed last year, the report added.
Fourth manufacturing facility in India
The Kharkhoda facility is Maruti Suzuki's fourth manufacturing facility in India after Gurugram, Manesar and Gujarat. The foundation stone for the facility was laid virtually by Prime Minister Modi in August 2022. Suzuki Motor Corporation's Indian subsidiary commenced commercial production at the plant from February 25, 2025, according to the company.
