India and Japan have entered into a data partnership for AI-enabled smart cities through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 24 April 2026 between ONESTRUCTION Inc. and DataKaveri Systems, the commercial arm of IISc Bengaluru’s Centre of Data for Public Good. The agreement links construction data with urban data systems for use in city-scale artificial intelligence applications and digital twins.
MoU and Institutional Linkages
The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the inaugural Japan-India AI Strategic Dialogue in Mumbai on 21 April 2026. ONESTRUCTION Inc. is a Japanese construction technology firm, and DataKaveri Systems works with the Intelligent Universal Data Exchange, or IUDX, developed at IISc Bengaluru.
Construction Data and Urban Data
The partnership covers construction data such as floor plans, utility layouts, and asset histories. These datasets often remain isolated after project completion, and the agreement provides for their secure use in AI-ready urban data exchanges across Indian and Japanese cities.
openBIM and IFC Standard
ONESTRUCTION’s openBIM platform is built around IFC, which stands for Industry Foundation Classes, an international open data standard for construction information. The platform will connect with IUDX, which is already operational in 55 smart cities in India and covers urban mobility, utilities, environment, and public services.
Related Bilateral and State-Level Engagements
- India and Japan launched the India-Japan AI Cooperation Initiative in August 2025 for joint research, university and company initiatives, Large Language Models, and a trustworthy AI ecosystem.
- Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Thane Municipal Corporation signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in December 2025 for smart city projects in Thane District.
- Karnataka stated plans in March 2026 to explore collaboration with Japan on smart city initiatives in Bengaluru.