India and Brunei officially opened their pavilions at the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka on Thursday, becoming the latest international participants to join the global showcase. Their debut leaves Nepal as the only overseas nation yet to open its pavilion, now 18 days into the event.
India’s pavilion immediately drew crowds after gates opened at 9 a.m., featuring a dynamic mix of traditional arts, futuristic innovation, and eco-friendly practices. Many visitors praised the experience. “I could feel both the heritage and the future of the country,” said Takayuki Kishida, a 21-year-old university student from nearby Shimamoto in Osaka Prefecture.
Initially, India had planned to construct a full-scale Type A pavilion, but delays led to a shift to a simpler Type X structure. These Type X pavilions, constructed by the expo organizers, are decorated inside and out by the respective country. Despite the change in plans, India faced further delays and missed the April 13 expo opening date.
Brunei, in contrast, opened its exhibition within the shared “Commons” pavilion space, where participating countries install booths in a communal area rather than building standalone structures.
Nepal’s pavilion remains incomplete, with construction halted due to unpaid fees owed to builders. The delay has raised concerns about the country’s ongoing participation in the six-month-long event.
Expo 2025 is being held on Yumeshima, a man-made island in Osaka Bay, and runs through October 13. Organizers aim to attract more than 28 million visitors over the course of the event, which focuses on themes of innovation, sustainability, and global cooperation.
