Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara electric SUV and the hybrid battery unit in Gujarat, emphasizing that the India-Japan relationship is “made for each other.”

Speaking at the event, he highlighted the growing people-to-people connect between the two countries and said that both nations now meet each other’s needs in skill development and human resources. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that these efforts will strengthen the foundation of a developed India by 2047, and he affirmed that Japan will continue to be a reliable partner in this journey.

PM Modi also announced his upcoming visit to Japan, reiterating that India-Japan relations go beyond diplomatic ties and are based on culture and mutual trust. He recalled that the industrial partnership between the two countries began in Gujarat during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 20 years ago, with Japanese partners actively supporting investments and facilitating easier understanding of industrial rules through Japanese-language documents.

The Prime Minister lauded initiatives to promote Japanese language education in Indian colleges and universities, as well as the development of golf courses to cater to Japanese interests. He urged companies like Maruti Suzuki to participate in youth exchange programs and people-to-people initiatives.

Paying tribute to Osamu Suzuki, PM Modi said the Government of India was honored to confer the Padma Vibhushan on him and expressed pride in the expansion of Suzuki’s vision in India.

Highlighting Maruti Suzuki’s role as a brand ambassador for ‘Make in India,’ PM Modi noted that vehicles manufactured in India are exported globally, including to Japan, and that Maruti Suzuki has been India’s largest car exporter for four consecutive years. He also announced that the export of electric vehicles will now commence on a similar scale, with ‘Made in India’ EVs running in dozens of countries worldwide.

PM Modi emphasized India’s advantages, including its democratic strength, demographic dividend, and skilled workforce, creating win-win opportunities for global partners. He recalled that land was allotted to Maruti Suzuki in Hansalpur in 2012 and stressed that the early vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India is now playing a key role in achieving India’s current development goals.

The Prime Minister urged citizens to actively support the self-reliant India campaign, embrace Swadeshi, and prioritize indigenous products.

“My interpretation of Swadeshi is simple: it is the sweat of our countrymen and the fragrance of our soil that matters, not the currency used,” he said. PM Modi concluded by inviting all citizens to join him in making India a developed nation by 2047 and increasing India’s global contribution to humanity.