India has reiterated its support for the Quad ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Japan visit, despite strained ties with the United States. India reaffirmed its commitment to the Quad on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, in New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to visit Japan from August 29–30, 2025, to bolster ties amid strained US relations due to recent tariff disputes, as announced by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Regional Significance
This development underscores India’s strategic balancing act in South Asia, where the Quad’s role in countering China’s influence is critical, while US-India tensions over trade policies could reshape regional alliances and economic dynamics across the Indo-Pacific.
India’s Quad Stance and Japan Visit
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted the Quad’s importance during a press conference on August 26, 2025, ahead of Modi’s eighth trip to Japan since 2014. The visit, scheduled for August 29–30, 2025, will include the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, focusing on critical minerals and regional security. According to Reuters, Misri stressed cooperation on supply chain resilience and infrastructure, despite US tariffs of up to 50% on Indian imports imposed by President Donald Trump, which are linked to India’s Russian oil purchases.
The Quad, comprising India, Japan, the United States, and Australia, aims to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. India’s reaffirmation comes as it prepares to host a Quad summit later in 2025, though, amid uncertainty over US participation due to trade tensions.
Impact of Strained US Ties
The tariff dispute, announced in August 2025, has strained India-US relations, with Trump citing India’s resistance to opening its agricultural sector and oil imports from Russia. This has raised doubts about India’s planned Quad summit, potentially affecting its diplomatic leverage. The Ministry of External Affairs on X confirmed Misri’s statements but provided no further details on US engagement.
Japan as a Strategic Partner
Modi’s visit to Japan seeks to deepen defence and economic ties, with discussions likely to include critical minerals and infrastructure projects. Japan’s Suzuki Motor announced a USD 8 billion investment in India’s electric vehicle sector on August 26, 2025, per Indian media, signalling economic collaboration amidst geopolitical shifts.
Background
India and Japan have strengthened their “special strategic and global partnership” since 2014, with bilateral trade reaching USD 21 billion in 2024. The Quad, formed in 2007 and revitalised in 2017, addresses China’s growing influence, though US-India ties have faced challenges, including Trump’s tariff policies. Previous tensions over India’s Russia ties and the 2020 Galwan clash with China add context to this diplomatic manoeuvre.
What’s Next
Modi’s Japan visit may set the stage for enhanced Quad cooperation, with a focus on critical minerals and security. The outcome could influence the upcoming Quad summit and India’s approach to US ties, keeping the Japan visit dynamic in focus as regional strategies evolve.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 27th, 2025
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram, and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
