Tokyo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tokyo today on a two-day official visit to attend the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This marks Modi’s eighth visit to Japan and his first standalone summit with Ishiba.
During the visit, both leaders are set to focus on defence cooperation, QUAD partnership, high-speed rail projects, and technology collaborations. A key highlight is the E10 Shinkansen bullet train initiative, which aims to strengthen India’s transport infrastructure with Japanese support.
Record Investments Expected
Japan is likely to announce investments of over ¥10 trillion (approx. $68 billion) in India over the next decade. The focus areas include semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and clean energy. At the India-Japan Economic Forum, PM Modi invited Japanese companies to “Make in India, Make for the World,” positioning India as a major global manufacturing hub.
He also emphasized India’s renewable energy targets — 500 GW by 2030 and 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047 — opening avenues for deeper Indo-Japan cooperation in clean and sustainable energy.
Cultural Welcome in Tokyo
Modi received a grand cultural welcome in Tokyo. Japanese citizens greeted him with Gayatri Mantra recitations, tabla performances, bhajans, and Hindi songs, showcasing the strong people-to-people ties. The Prime Minister thanked the people of Japan for their warmth and affection.
Strategic Engagements Ahead
Beyond bilateral talks, Modi’s visit is seen as critical in the context of global trade realignments following new U.S. tariffs. Strengthening economic and security cooperation with Japan is viewed as a key step in balancing regional power equations.
After Japan, Modi will travel to Tianjin, China, to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council meeting from August 31 to September 1.
