Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to Japan and China have taken on major strategic importance against the backdrop of trade tensions with the United States. Modi arrived in Tokyo on Friday morning, marking his first visit to Japan in seven years and his eighth since 2014. Invited by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, he is scheduled for a packed two-day programme focused on Quad cooperation, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, trade, and investment.
Indian Ambassador to Japan C.B. George said the discussions would go beyond agreements to cover key geopolitical and geo-economic issues, aimed at advancing India’s national interests, strengthening bilateral ties, and promoting regional and global cooperation. Modi will also address a business leaders’ forum involving top Indian and Japanese industry representatives. Meanwhile, Japan’s trade minister canceled a planned visit to the U.S., delaying a $550 billion investment package deal, a move that has drawn international attention.
After concluding his Japan visit, Modi will travel directly to Tianjin, China, to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit on August 31. He is expected to hold discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on regional cooperation and bilateral issues. This marks Modi’s first trip to China since the 2020 border clashes in Ladakh and his first overall since 2018. With U.S. tariffs putting pressure on both India and China, the Prime Minister’s engagements in Tokyo and Tianjin are being closely watched for their wider strategic and economic implications.