PM Modi to Visit China After Three-Day Japan Visit. Participation in Summits and Bilateral Talks at SCO Meeting to Strengthen India's Global Strategic Position.
PM Modi Japan Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is departing on a three-day visit to Japan starting today. During this period, he will participate in the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit in Tokyo. Following this, PM Modi will directly proceed to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. Currently, India and Japan face several common challenges, and their friends and adversaries are largely the same. Therefore, this visit is considered significant not only for India-Japan relations but also for the global strategic balance and regional security.
Visit Dates and Schedule
PM Modi will depart for Japan at 8:30 PM. Upon returning from Japan, he will attend the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, from August 30 to September 1. This will be PM Modi's eighth visit to Japan, and his first summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This visit will further strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Significance of the Visit Amidst US Tariff War
Trade tensions have recently escalated between India and the United States. US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on India, impacting trade and economic relations. Simultaneously, China's regional aggression and global economic uncertainties are increasing. In this context, a b partnership with Japan is crucial for India. Japan has also been subjected to a 15% tariff by the US. In this scenario, both countries can jointly counter American pressure and global economic challenges.
Historical Stance of India-Japan Relations
India and Japan have been bound by a Special Strategic and Global Partnership since 2006. This partnership is based on defense, trade, technology, and people-to-people relations. During this summit, both countries will review their partnership and set a roadmap for future investment and strategic cooperation. Japan plans to make a private investment of 10 trillion yen in India over the next ten years during this visit. This is double the five-year plan of 5 trillion yen announced in 2022.
'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' Initiatives
Japan is a major supporter of India's 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives. Companies like Maruti Suzuki are now beginning to export electric vehicles. The recently launched hybrid battery plant in Gujarat is an example of this. Furthermore, the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project is among India's largest infrastructure projects. Both countries may also agree on a new economic security framework in areas such as semiconductors, rare minerals, and clean energy, which will reduce India's dependence on China.
China's Challenge in the Indo-Pacific
India and Japan are members of the Quad, which aims to promote a rules-based order and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Both countries regularly participate in the Malabar naval exercises. China's regional aggression, military activities in the South China Sea, and dependence on China in sectors like semiconductors and rare earths present challenges for India. Japan's $68 billion investment plan and AI cooperation initiative can help reduce this dependence.
