"Namaste, Konnichiwa, Japan," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he addressed the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum soon after landing in Tokyo, marking his first standalone visit to the country in nearly seven years. Over the next two days, PM Modi will push to advance India's national interests, strengthen bilateral ties, and build momentum for broader regional and global cooperation.
"The world is not just watching India, it is counting on India. Japan has always been an important partner in India's development journey. From metro rail to manufacturing, semiconductors to startups. Japanese companies have invested over USD 40 billion in India," PM Modi said in his opening remarks.
The Prime Minister sought to position India as a stable and promising investment destination. "In India, capital does not just grow, it multiplies," he said.
"Today, India has political stability, economic stability, transparency in policy, and predictability. Today, India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. And, very soon, it is going to become the third-largest economy in the world," PM Modi told the gathering.
Expanding on his message of openness to new collaborations, PM Modi said, "After the defence and space sectors, we are opening the nuclear energy sector to private players".
India's ambassador to Japan, Sibi George, highlighted that discussions between the two countries will extend beyond bilateral issues, focusing also on "plurilateral and multilateral" frameworks such as the Quad, which play a key role in ensuring a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region.
The discussions between the two sides will go beyond the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), with the two leaders expected to deliberate on the prevailing geopolitical and geo-economic landscape amid US President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war, the Indian envoy to Japan Sibi George said, reported news agency ANI.
"So, when two important leaders of the Indo-Pacific, India and Japan, meet, particularly in this geopolitical situation, they will discuss the entire spectrum of geopolitical issues. Of course, the Quad is a very important topic that will be covered in the discussions," George said.
With India facing rising trade tensions with the United States, New Delhi is seeking to deepen economic ties with Tokyo and explore new avenues for trade, technology, and investment. Beyond economics, the visit underscores the strategic convergence of two major Asian democracies whose cooperation spans civilisational linkages, regional security, and global governance.
This trip marks Modi’s first standalone visit to Japan in nearly seven years and his first bilateral summit with Ishiba. Modi last attended the India-Japan Annual Summit in 2018. It is also Modi’s eighth visit to Japan since he assumed office in 2014.
From 10.30 am to 11.10 am today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend a business event with captains of the Japanese and Indian industries, aimed at deepening trade, investment, and technology ties between the two countries. During his two-day visit, he is expected to announce partnerships for manufacturing the next-generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains in India.
Following the business event, PM Modi will meet Japanese dignitaries between 11.30 am and 1.10 pm. Later in the day, he will visit the Zen Buddhist temple Shorinzan-Daruma-Ji before attending the India-Japan Annual Summit from 2.30 pm to 5.15 pm.
"We would endeavor to give new wings to our collaboration, expand the scope and ambition of our economic and investment ties, and advance cooperation in new and emerging technologies, including AI and Semiconductors," PM Modi said, ahead of leaving for Japan.
Trade between India and Japan has remained steady. According to the news agency Reuters, in the first nine months of the 2024-25 fiscal year, bilateral trade reached USD 21 billion.
Japan is India’s fifth-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI), with cumulative investments amounting to USD 43.2 billion as of December 2024. Annual FDI inflows from Japan have been robust, reaching USD 3.1 billion in 2023-24 and USD 1.36 billion in April-December 2024-25.
Following his Japan visit, Modi will travel to Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1 to attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). On the sidelines of the summit, he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"India is an active and constructive member of SCO. During our presidency, we have introduced new ideas and initiated collaboration in the fields of innovation, health and cultural exchanges," PM Modi said. "I also look forward to meeting President Xi Jinping, President Putin and other leaders on the sidelines of the summit."
He stressed India’s commitment to working with SCO members to address challenges and to deepen regional cooperation. "I am confident that my visits to Japan and China would further our national interests and priorities, and contribute to building fruitful cooperation in advancing regional and global peace, security, and sustainable development," he said.
