NITI Aayog and JICA Sign Record of Discussions for Phase II of Japan – India Cooperative Actions towards SDGs in Aspirational Districts and Blocks

NITI Aayog and JICA Sign Record of Discussions for Phase II of Japan – India Cooperative Actions towards SDGs in Aspirational Districts and Blocks

In a significant step towards strengthening India–Japan development cooperation, NITI Aayog and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) today signed the Record of Discussions (RoD) for the “Project for Promotion of the Program for Japan – India Cooperative Actions Towards Sustainable Development Goals – Phase II” in presence of Shri Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme, NITI Aayog and Takeuchi Takuro, Chief Representative, JICA India.

This collaboration reaffirms the strong India–Japan development partnership and advances joint efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in Aspirational Districts (ADs) and Aspirational Blocks (ABs). Shri Rohit Kumar noted that the partnership brings together institutional strengths, shared knowledge and on-ground experience to accelerate inclusive development in underserved regions.

The project under ADP and ABP aims to strengthen policy frameworks and implementation systems across six themes—Global Partnership, Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development and Basic Infrastructure. It focuses on institutional capacity building, improved monitoring and evaluation and effective localisation of SDGs.

Key activities under this project include people to people and capacity-building exchanges, Japan–India knowledge forums, identification and dissemination of Best Practices and targeted support to Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks.

Mr. Takeuchi Takuro, Chief Representative, JICA India, commended the successful implementation of ADP and ABP, noting that India’s district and block-level monitoring systems stand out globally. He emphasized that the project represents a mutually beneficial, cooperative initiative further strengthening the Japan–India partnership.

The signing of the Record of Discussions underscores the deepening India–Japan partnership and reflects a shared commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 through strengthened institutional capacity and evidence-based governance in Aspirational Districts and Blocks.