Tokyo, August 29, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Tokyo on Friday, marking the start of a two-day official visit to Japan to attend the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit. Upon arrival, he expressed optimism about deepening the India-Japan partnership, stating, “Landed in Tokyo. As India and Japan continue to strengthen their developmental cooperation, I look forward to engaging with PM Ishiba and others during this visit, thus providing an opportunity to deepen existing partnerships and explore new avenues of collaboration.”
The visit, at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, marks Modi’s eighth trip to Japan since 2014 and his first standalone bilateral summit with Ishiba. The two leaders aim to advance the Special Strategic and Global Partnership, focusing on trade, investment, defense, technology, and cultural ties. This visit comes at a critical time as India navigates strained relations with the United States due to President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian goods, prompting New Delhi to bolster economic ties with Japan.
Warm Welcome and Cultural Celebrations
Upon arriving at Haneda International Airport, PM Modi was warmly greeted by Japan’s Ambassador to India, ONO Keiichi, India’s Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George, and other senior officials. The Indian diaspora in Tokyo welcomed him with vibrant cultural performances, including a rendition of the iconic Bollywood song Jai Ho and traditional Kathak dances. Japanese artists also performed, with one group reciting the Gayatri Mantra and others dressed in Rajasthani attire singing folk songs to honor the visiting leader. A Japanese national who performed Bharatnatyam before Modi shared, “I was surprised and didn’t expect him to take a picture with us. I was happy to perform and also get a picture with him.”
Sunil Soni, a member of the Indian community, expressed pride, stating, “As an Indian, I feel very happy that PM Modi is visiting… This will strengthen India-Japan relations. Modi Ji is on a world tour to make India’s dream a reality, and we are very happy about this.” Another diaspora member highlighted Modi’s frequent visits, saying, “Modi ji has come here for the 8th time, and I have met him thrice… Our excitement to meet him increases every time he comes here.”
Summit Agenda: Economic and Strategic Cooperation
The 15th India-Japan Annual Summit will see Modi and Ishiba review bilateral ties across defense, security, trade, technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Key areas of focus include:
- Economic Investments: Japan is expected to pledge a $68 billion investment in India over the next decade, doubling its 2022 commitment. This includes support for sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, clean energy, and critical minerals. Over 1,400 Japanese companies operate in India, with bilateral trade reaching $22.8 billion in 2023-24.
- Technology and Innovation: The leaders will explore cooperation in AI, semiconductors, and supply chain resilience. A visit to a semiconductor facility in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on August 30, via a high-speed train, underscores this focus. An agreement on introducing Japanese E-10 coaches for India’s Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project by 2030 is also expected.
- Defense and Security: The summit will upgrade the 2008 Declaration on Security Cooperation, including provisions for defense hardware acquisitions and a new “Economic Security” initiative to build resilient supply chains.
- Quad and Indo-Pacific: The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) will be a key discussion point, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasizing its role in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
- Civil Nuclear Cooperation: Progress on the 2016 nuclear agreement will be reviewed, focusing on nuclear safety and clean energy transitions.
Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are anticipated, covering trade, investment, defense, and technology. A “2035 Vision Statement” will outline the future of the bilateral relationship, updating the 2025 Vision Statement set by Modi and former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.
Business and Cultural Engagements
On the first day, Modi will address the India-Japan Economic Forum, meeting executives from leading Japanese firms like Sony, Hitachi, and Nomura. He emphasized India’s economic stability and reforms, stating, “In India, capital does not just grow, it multiplies,” and pitched the “Make in India, Make for the World” initiative. Kazuya Nakajo, Executive Vice President of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), noted that over 80% of Japanese companies in India plan to expand operations in the coming years.
Modi will also meet Japanese political leaders and receive a Daruma Doll from the Chief Priest of Shorinzan Daruma Temple, symbolizing cultural ties. On the second day, the leaders’ visit to Miyagi Prefecture will highlight technological collaboration.
Broader Diplomatic Context
Following the Japan visit, Modi will travel to Tianjin, China, on August 31 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where he will meet leaders like Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Japan visit underscores India’s strategic pivot amid tensions with the U.S. and its commitment to regional stability.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted the visit’s significance, stating, “The visit will consolidate our long-standing friendship, open new avenues for cooperation, and reaffirm our shared commitment to peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”
Strengthening a Historic Partnership
The India-Japan relationship, rooted in civilizational bonds and shared democratic values, has grown steadily. With Japan as India’s fifth-largest source of foreign direct investment ($43.2 billion up to December 2024) and 665 academic partnerships, the summit aims to set new benchmarks in economic security, clean energy, and digital technologies. As Modi and Ishiba chart the next phase of this partnership, the visit signals India’s rising global influence.
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