India and Japan are strengthening their partnership with a new initiative aimed at enhancing bilateral relations. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a Grant Agreement with the Government of India to launch "The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS)."

This new program will offer full scholarships to 36 Indian government officials over the next four years. These officials will have the opportunity to pursue two-year master's degrees at prestigious Japanese universities. The initial phase of the project includes an investment of around Rs 12 crores (JPY 223 million) to support the first group of nine officials.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio have both emphasized the importance of fostering people-to-people connections. This scholarship program reflects their commitment to increasing the number of Indian students in Japan, enhancing cultural exchange, and strengthening bilateral relations.

Each year, nine officials specializing in key policy areas will be chosen for the program. These officials are expected to bring valuable insights back to India, contributing to policy development and growth initiatives aligned with India's strategic goals and its partnership with Japan.

The selection process for the inaugural group of JDS scholars is scheduled to start in mid-2024, with the first admissions anticipated in mid-2025. The participating universities in Japan renowned for their academic excellence include:

1. Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo
2. Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
3. Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University
4. Graduate School of International and Public Policy, Hitotsubashi University
5. Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

Saito Mitsunori, Chief Representative of JICA India, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “As envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Ministers of India and Japan, enhancing people-to-people exchanges is crucial for deepening our ties. JICA is proud to support this mission by providing study opportunities in Japan to Indian government officials, helping lead India towards its future goals. I encourage talented officials to apply and prepare to lead India into the future.”

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