India's Uttar Pradesh, Japan's Yamanashi to deepen hydrogen, HR ties

Public and private sector representatives from India's Uttar Pradesh state and Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture convened in New Delhi on Wednesday to explore avenues for expanding collaboration in clean energy, manufacturing, and human resources development. Yamanashi Governor Kotaro Nagasaki highlighted Japan's expertise in producing, storing, and utilizing hydrogen derived from renewable sources at industrial facilities.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Nagasaki announced that Yamanashi would sign agreements with Uttar Pradesh's government and a local university concerning green hydrogen, tourism, and human resources development. With a population of over 240 million, Uttar Pradesh presents a substantial market with burgeoning industries and a well-established hydrogen policy, according to Nagasaki.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has championed the establishment of a 500-acre "Japan City" near Noida International Airport to serve as a hub for Japanese manufacturers and suppliers. Additionally, the state is set to inaugurate a $212 million plant constructed by Escorts Kubota, the Indian subsidiary of Japanese agricultural machinery manufacturer Kubota Corp. The facility, projected to generate more than 3,800 jobs, was unveiled during a virtual groundbreaking ceremony.

The gathering was a follow-up to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's July visit to India, during which he and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi pledged to strengthen cooperation in semiconductors, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. Japan ranks as India's fifth-largest source of foreign direct investment, as reported by the Indian government.