Press Release

New Delhi, August 15, 2022: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) congratulates India on the esteemed occasion of its 76th Independence Day. On the auspicious occasion of India completing its 75 years of independence in the ceremonial year of the 70th anniversary of Japan India diplomatic relations, JICA reiterates its commitment to continuing support to India for building prosperous future of both countries and the global society.

As the largest and first recipient of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA), India has been one of the most important development partners for Japan. Japan's ODA to India started in 1958, and over 6,978 billion Japanese Yen (approximately INR 4,10,493 Crore) in ODA loans have been committed to India for more than 310 public projects across various sectors. In addition to ODA loans JICA has been consistently cooperating with India in achieving its goals of economic growth, poverty alleviation, and environment conservation. Through various forms of assistance such as technical cooperation, concessional loan provision, and grant finance provision, among many others, JICA has made significant headway in facilitating advancement spanning sectors of transport, water, sanitation, energy, forestry, agriculture, health, and education.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India Office said, "I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to India on its 76th Independence Day. As one of the world's largest democracies and developing nations, India has made a place for itself on the global map and Japan stands with the country as it journeys ahead towards a sustainable and stable future. Year 2022 is a special year for us as it marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India. I would also like to reaffirm JICA's continuous support in India achieving socio-economic development. An amalgamation of the combined strength and values of India and Japan has and will further continue to positively impact global society and we are committed to nourishing and reinforcing bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries".

As is mentioned in "The Confluence of the Two Seas" speech delivered by the former Prime Minister of Japan Mr. ABE Shinzo in the Indian Parliament in 2007, "forest" and "water" have been one of the recurring themes appearing in Japan's ODA to India. The people of Japan treasure the forests and cherish the abundant water, and hope strongly that the Indian people will nurture their forests and enable them to thrive and also be able to enjoy the blessings of an abundance of clean water. This concept is imbedded in JICA's operation and JICA has continuously extended cooperation in this field along with other flagship projects to support socio economic growth of India.

JICA has evolved its support for forestry and natural resource management sector by synergistically incorporating the key takeaways garnered by projects implemented in the past and by flexibly catering to demands with times. Since the start of its assistance to the forestry sector in India in 1991 JICA has supported 32 projects, with 29 state specific projects covering 15 states, which consists of ODA loans of 304 billion Japanese Yen (approximately INR 18,465 Crore). The total area of afforestation activities under JICA supported projects reaches close to 3 million hectares across Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura and Meghalaya.

Japan's support through ODA loan to water and sanitation sector in India is approximately INR 50,000 crores, through 39 ODA Loans, 4 Grant Aids and 12 Technical Cooperation Projects, located in all around the country. With JICA's projects, water supply has reached approximately 30 million people and 15 million people have received access to sanitation. JICA is committed to keep supporting related projects in the future as well for better living conditions.

The detail information of JICA's cooperation in Water sector and Forestry sector in booklet format is available in the following JICA website;

• JICA Supported Forestry Projects in India (PDF)
• JICA Assisted Water Supply & Sanitation Projects (PDF)

As India works towards expanding its prowess in all socio-economic spheres, its partnerships with Japan are set to give a robust boost to its economy and JICA is dedicated towards further promoting friendship and cooperation between the countries.

About JICA

Established, by a specific law, as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to contribute to the promotion of international cooperation, as a sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency. JICA works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, and provides assistance in forms of loan, grant and technical cooperation so that the emerging countries can strengthen their capabilities.

• JICA India Office Web
• JICA India Brochure
• JICA Facebook Page (external link)

For further information, please contact:

JICA India Office
Shusaku Takada / Aishwarya Mishra
+91 11 49097000
Takada.Shusaku@jica.go.jp;
Mishra-Aishwarya@jica.go.jp

Edelman India
Rakhi Aurora
(+91) 9599067185
Rakhi.Aurora@edelman.com