India and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening healthcare cooperation during the third Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Healthcare, focusing on building resilient health systems, strengthening medical supply chains, and advancing collaboration in digital health and innovation.
New Delhi
The meeting, held on Tuesday, was co-chaired by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda and Japan’s Minister in charge of Healthcare Policy Kimi Onoda. Both leaders emphasized the importance of bilateral engagement in addressing emerging healthcare challenges and enhancing the overall quality of healthcare delivery.
Nadda stated that the meeting underscored the shared commitment of India and Japan to strengthening collaboration in the health sector. He highlighted that the partnership is guided by the Memorandum of Cooperation in Healthcare and Wellness, which focuses on improving accessibility, reinforcing health systems, and promoting innovation for better health outcomes.
The minister also pointed to the broader vision of inclusive development, rooted in the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, as a driving force behind India’s international collaborations. He described the Joint Committee Meeting as a key platform for advancing shared goals and fostering long-term cooperation in healthcare.
On her part, Onoda reiterated Japan’s commitment to enhancing engagement with India through innovation, technology, and research. She expressed readiness to further strengthen bilateral ties and explore new avenues of collaboration in healthcare.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava welcomed the Japanese delegation and emphasized that the India-Japan partnership is built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared vision for the future.
During the discussions, both sides explored major priority areas, including strengthening supply chains, expanding digital health initiatives, and developing human resources in the healthcare sector. The deliberations also focused on addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with India presenting its comprehensive response framework based on screening, continuum of care, and health promotion aligned with global Sustainable Development Goals.
The meeting concluded with both nations expressing optimism about further strengthening their healthcare partnership, aiming to deliver improved health outcomes and resilient systems capable of addressing future challenges.