O.P. Jindal Global University hosted a big event in Tokyo this week. It was called the 3rd India-Japan Higher Education Forum 2026. Many important people came together for it. There was a former Japanese Prime Minister, a well-known Indian MP, ambassadors, university presidents, professors, and hundreds of students.
The theme of the forum was “Shaping Universities of the Future in the Era of Human and Artificial Intelligence.” That title says a lot about what schools everywhere are thinking about right now. AI is changing how students learn and how universities work. So it made sense for leaders from India and Japan to sit down together and talk about it.
This was not a small, quiet meeting. It brought together senior university leaders, diplomats, policymakers, researchers, and students from both countries. Everyone came together to talk about education, research, technology, and how the two countries can keep working closely together in the years ahead.
The timing of the event was not random either. It happened close to the India-Japan Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. That summit was a bigger moment for the two countries, focused on strengthening what is called the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. So this education forum fit right into that larger push. It showed that schools and universities also have a role to play in bringing two nations closer, not just governments and trade deals.
Why India and Japan Keep Working Together
India and Japan have been building a stronger relationship for years now. This includes technology, business, defence, and of course, education. Both countries have been trying to send more students back and forth, build joint research projects, and open doors for universities to work together.
This forum is part of that bigger effort. It was actually the third time JGU has organized this event, which shows this is not a one-time idea. It is something the university keeps building on year after year.
The opening session began with a welcome address from Professor C. Raj Kumar, the Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU. He has been one of the key people pushing for stronger ties between Indian and Japanese universities, and this forum reflects years of work behind the scenes.
A Former Prime Minister Talks About Old Ties
One of the most memorable moments of the day came from former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. He did not just talk about politics or current events. Instead, he spoke about history and shared values between the two nations.
He explained that the bond between India and Japan goes far beyond diplomacy. He said it is rooted in centuries of shared philosophy and spiritual thinking. To explain this, he compared Japan’s idea of Yu-ai, which means fraternity or brotherhood, with Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas of Ahimsa, meaning non-violence, and Sarvodaya, meaning the welfare of all.
His point was simple. Both cultures value peace, mutual respect, and human dignity. He believes these shared values are what truly connect the two nations, even more than trade deals or political agreements.
Hatoyama also spoke about the importance of education in building the future. He said he hopes to see more students moving between JGU and Japanese universities. According to him, when more students study abroad and build friendships across borders, it naturally leads to stronger ties in education, business, and culture over time.
India’s Embassy Backs Closer Higher Education Ties
The forum also featured a speech from H.E. R. Madhu Sudan, who is the Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of India in Tokyo. He represents the Indian government in Japan.
He spoke in support of building closer academic ties between Indian and Japanese schools. He said the Indian Mission fully supports this kind of collaboration. He also praised the forum for playing a role in strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which is the official name for the deep relationship both countries have been building.
A Keynote on Knowledge and Innovation
Professor Tomohiko Taniguchi delivered the keynote speech. He used to serve as a Special Advisor to the Cabinet of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, so he knows a lot about how the two governments think and plan.
In his speech, he talked about how important the India-Japan relationship is for the wider region. He explained how universities, research centers, and new ideas can help build a stronger Indo-Pacific region. His main message was that sharing knowledge and working together on research is one of the best ways to solve big problems that both countries, and the world, are facing.
Shashi Tharoor Speaks to a Packed Room
One of the biggest highlights of the day was a talk by Dr. Shashi Tharoor. He is a Member of Parliament in India and also chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, an important group that deals with India’s relationships with other countries.
He spoke in front of a packed room full of diplomats, university leaders, professors, and students. In his talk, he discussed how the relationship between India and Japan has changed over time and where it might be heading next.
He said that education, ideas, and cultural exchange are just as important as government agreements when it comes to building strong ties between two nations. He also praised JGU directly, saying the university has worked hard and carefully to build real, lasting academic partnerships with Japanese schools. He called this kind of work the true foundation for long-term friendship between the two countries.
University Presidents Talk About AI and the Future
Perhaps the most engaging part of the whole day was a panel discussion. It brought together presidents and senior leaders from some of Japan’s most respected universities, all sitting on the same stage.
The panel included leaders from the University of Tokyo, International Christian University, Musashi University, Sophia University, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Temple University Japan Campus, and Waseda University. Justice Michael D. Wilson, a former judge on Hawaii’s Supreme Court, also joined the discussion, bringing a different kind of perspective from law and public service.
Professor C. Raj Kumar moderated the panel. The conversation focused on a question that almost every university is dealing with today: how can schools use new technology like AI while still holding on to what matters most in education? Things like ethical thinking, critical reasoning, and treating students as more than just future workers.
The panel did not pretend AI is simple or without risk. Instead, the leaders talked about how universities need to adapt quickly, but carefully. They agreed that technology should support human learning, not replace the values that make education meaningful in the first place.
Nearly 200 Students Get Recognized
The forum was not only about big speeches and panels. It also made time to celebrate students directly.
Close to 200 JGU students received certificates during the event. These students had completed Short-Term Study Abroad Programmes at partner universities across Japan during the summer of 2026. The schools involved included Chuo University, Kyorin University, Musashi University, Temple University Japan Campus, the University of Tokyo, and the University of Yamanashi.
This is a big number of students, and it shows that the partnership between JGU and Japanese universities is not just something leaders talk about on stage. It is actually happening on the ground, with real students living and studying in another country.
Professor Hinaho Kishi, who works in JGU’s Office of International Affairs and Global Initiatives, led the certificate ceremony. She was joined by Ananya Lall, a JGU student studying Business Administration, who helped hand out the certificates alongside her.
JGU Also Releases a New Sustainability Report
Alongside all the talks and discussions, JGU used the event to release its Sustainability Report 2026. Professor Padmanabha Ramanujam, who serves as Dean of the Office of Academic Governance, presented the report to everyone at the forum.
The report lays out what the university has been doing when it comes to sustainability, responsible decision-making, and long-term planning. It is a way for JGU to show that it is not just talking about the future of education, but also thinking seriously about its own responsibilities as an institution.
What JGU’s Leaders Had to Say
Professor C. Raj Kumar spoke about what this forum means for JGU as a whole. He said the event reflects the university’s long-term commitment to strengthening ties between India and Japan. This includes education, research, innovation, and giving students the chance to study and live abroad.
He also made an important point about AI. He said that even as artificial intelligence changes how universities teach and operate, schools cannot lose sight of human values. Ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and a real sense of purpose still matter deeply. According to him, the future of universities depends on finding the right balance. Technology should move forward, but human-centered education should move forward right alongside it, not get left behind.
Professor Akhil Bhardwaj, who leads JGU’s Office of International Affairs and Global Initiatives, added that this work with Japan is much bigger than just one event. He said JGU plans to keep expanding its partnerships, encourage more students and teachers to exchange ideas, and build long-term chances for collaboration between the two countries.
Why This Kind of Event Matters
Events like this show something simple but important. The future of the India-Japan relationship will not be shaped only by governments, politicians, or trade agreements. Universities, teachers, researchers, and students also play a real part in building trust between two nations.
When students from India study in Japan, and Japanese students learn alongside them, they build friendships and understanding that last long after graduation. These personal connections often turn into strong professional and cultural ties later in life.
As artificial intelligence continues to change the way universities teach and operate around the world, gatherings like this forum are a good reminder of something important. Shared knowledge, cultural understanding, and human connection still matter just as much as the technology itself. Maybe even more.
The 3rd India-Japan Higher Education Forum 2026 was more than just a one-day event. It was a clear signal that both countries plan to keep working closely together, using education as one of the strongest tools to build a shared future.
