PM Modi in Japan to strengthen bilateral ties at the 15th India-Japan Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tokyo on Friday, August 29, 2025, for a two-day visit to attend the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit and the India-Japan Economic Forum. Hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the visit aims to deepen the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two nations. Modi’s eighth trip to Japan underscores the growing importance of India-Japan relations.
Why It Matters
The visit is significant for South Asia as it strengthens India’s strategic and economic ties with Japan, a key partner in the Quad grouping, fostering regional stability and growth in the Indo-Pacific. Enhanced cooperation could boost investment and technology transfers, benefiting India’s development goals.
Strengthening India-Japan Strategic Partnership
During the summit, Modi and Ishiba will review bilateral ties, focusing on defence, security, trade, and technology. The partnership, described as a “springboard for Japanese business to the Global South,” is expected to see Japan pledge JPY 10 trillion (approximately USD 68 billion) in investments to India over the next decade, doubling its 2022 commitment. According to the Prime Minister’s Office on X, Modi’s visit will expand collaboration across key sectors.
India-Japan Economic Forum in Focus
PM Modi in Japan will address the India-Japan Economic Forum in Tokyo on August 29, 2025, engaging with business leaders to promote trade and investment. Japan’s role as a vital source of capital and technology for India’s modernisation, noting the strategic importance of this visit. The forum aims to leverage economic synergies, fostering innovation and sustainable growth.
Bilateral Meetings and Regional Discussions
The summit will include discussions on regional and global issues, with the Quad framework—comprising India, Japan, the US, and Australia—playing a pivotal role. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasised the Quad’s importance for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Modi is also expected to meet with the Indian diaspora in Japan, numbering nearly 40,000, to strengthen cultural ties.
Background
India and Japan have cultivated robust ties over the past 25 years, with Japan emerging as a key investor in India’s infrastructure and technology sectors. Modi’s previous visits, including the 2022 Quad Summit and G7 meetings, have solidified this partnership. The 2018 visit, where Modi was hosted by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, underscored personal diplomacy, with gestures like a private dinner and chopstick lessons.
Looking Ahead
As PM Modi in Japan advances bilateral cooperation, the outcomes of this visit could set the tone for India’s role in the Indo-Pacific and its economic ambitions. The anticipated investment pledge and strategic discussions will likely enhance India’s position as a regional leader.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 26th, 2025
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