Trade and Security on Agenda as India’s Modi Visits Japan

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Japan on Thursday to meet his Japanese counterpart, Shigeru Ishiba, with trade and security high on the agenda.

Modi is on a two-day official visit to Tokyo to take part in the 15th India–Japan annual summit, marking his eighth visit to the country and his first summit with Ishiba.

The leaders are expected to review the “special strategic and global partnership” between the two nations, covering defence, trade, economy, technology, and people-to-people exchanges, while also discussing regional and global issues.

Ahead of the trip, Modi said: “We will endeavour to give new wings to our collaboration.” A joint statement is anticipated at the summit to pledge further enhancement of bilateral cooperation and to promote deeper engagement among Quad members, which also include the U.S. and Australia.

Japan is considering a 10 trillion yen (approximately $68 billion) private investment target in India over the next decade.

The Ishiba–Modi meeting comes amid the U.S. imposing 50% tariffs on Indian imports, while Japan faces 15% levies. The Trump administration previously sanctioned India over purchases of Russian oil amid the war in Ukraine.

Modi last visited Japan in May 2023. Diplomatic ties between the two countries date back to 1952, with trade volume reaching $21 billion last year.

Following his Japan visit, Modi will travel to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation leaders’ summit in Tianjin on 31 August–1 September. He is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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