THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

.    Ambassador of Japan, to India, H.E. Ono Keiichi Ji,
.    Group Editorial Director, India Today, Shri Raj Chengappa Ji,
.    Distinguished delegates, from India and Japan
.    Members of the diplomatic community, industry leaders, policy makers and media

India and Japan, share a relationship, that has steadily grown, in depth and maturity, over the decades. It is a partnership, built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment, to stability, and progress in the region.

From early economic cooperation, to today's Special, Strategic and Global Partnership, India and Japan have consistently, stood by each other. This relationship, has been marked, by long-term thinking, reliability, and a focus on outcomes, rather than, short-term gains.

One of the defining features, of our ties has been, its emphasis on development.

Japan has been, one of India's most important partners, in infrastructure, technology, and capacity building. From industrial corridors, to high-speed rail, from energy systems, to urban transport, Japan's contribution has helped, shape many of India's, modern growth stories.
Yet, perhaps the most visible, and transformative phase, of the partnership, lies in the everyday, urban experience, of millions of Indians.

The transformation of Delhi, over the past two decades has, in many ways, been supported, by Japan's contribution,-particularly in the area of, urban infrastructure, & smart cities.

The most prominent example, being the Delhi Metro.

It is not just, a transport system. It is a model, of efficiency, punctuality, safety, and sustainability. Japanese financial support, technical expertise, and planning, played a key role, in building, what is today, one of the largest, and most reliable metro networks, in the world.

The impact, has been far-reaching.

It has reduced congestion, improved connectivity, lowered pollution, and most importantly, changed, how people experience the city.

The impact of this co-operation, soon expended, beyond Delhi. It became integral, to metro projects, in cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. Another landmark ongoing project, is the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor, often called, India's first bullet train project.

But what began as collaboration, on transport infrastructure, gradually evolved into areas, such as energy systems, smart infrastructure, and technology-driven, urban solutions.
Today, we are entering the next phase, of this collaboration.

A phase, where the focus is not just, on building infrastructure, but on shaping, entire urban ecosystems.

This brings me, to the central question, before us:
How do we move from a "metro city" to a "metropolis"?

A metropolis is not, defined only by infrastructure. It is defined by efficiency, sustainability, innovation, and quality of life.

And this is where, Japan's experience becomes, extremely valuable.

Japanese cities, like Tokyo, have demonstrated how integrated planning, technology, and discipline, can create urban environments, that are both highly efficient, and deeply liveable.

Delhi can benefit from this, in several ways.

First, in the area of, smart mobility. The future of urban transport, lies in integration, where metro systems, buses, last-mile connectivity, and digital platforms, work seamlessly together. Data-driven systems, AI-based traffic management, and real-time monitoring, can significantly improve, commuter experience.

Second, sustainable development. 
As Delhi continues to grow, the need for cleaner energy, efficient buildings, waste management, and green mobility, becomes more urgent. Japan's expertise, in areas such as, hydrogen energy, electric mobility, and energy-efficient infrastructure, can help accelerate, this transition.
Third, water and environmental management.

Urban sustainability, cannot be achieved, without addressing water systems, pollution control, and climate resilience. Japan's advanced solutions, in wastewater recycling, flood management, and environmental technologies, can play a critical role, here.

Fourth, in disaster resilience. Cities today must be prepared, for unexpected challenges-whether environmental or structural. Japan's experience in building, resilient infrastructure, and effective response systems, offers important lessons.

But perhaps, the most important opportunity, lies in how we plan, the future growth of Delhi.
In this context, the development of Dwarka, as a sub-city, presents a unique possibility. Dwarka can be envisioned, not just as, a residential area, but as a hub, for knowledge-based industries, innovation centres, and global partnerships.

It can emerge, as a destination for Japanese companies, to establish regional headquarters, research centres, and technology hubs.

With the right planning, infrastructure, and policy support, Dwarka can become, a symbol of the next phase of, India-Japan collaboration-where investment, technology, and talent come together, to create new economic ecosystems.

This is the shift, we must aim for. From isolated projects, to integrated development. From infrastructure creation, to ecosystem building. From growth, to sustainable growth.

The India-Japan partnership, has already delivered, results that are visible, and measurable. The next phase can deliver, outcomes that are transformative.

Delhi, as the capital of India, has the opportunity, to lead this transformation.

And partnerships, like the one we share with Japan, will be central, to that journey. The strength of this partnership, is not just, in project and investment but, in enduring trust, and shared vision, that continue to bring, our two nations closer.

In the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India and Japan are natural partners and trusted friends working together for global good.  Let us continue to strengthen this enduring partnership with mutual respect, shared ambition, and collective purpose.

Thank you.

Jai Hind.