TOKYO—Expectations are running high in Tokyo as the city prepares to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a two-day visit, a trip set to usher in a new era of partnership between India and Japan. The visit, scheduled for August 29-30, marks the first stand-alone bilateral summit with his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, since 2018.
With bilateral trade currently valued at around $22 billion, the visit is expected to give a major push to key sectors, including semiconductor, defense and security, science and technology, infrastructure, and mobility.
According to sources, Japan is expected to unveil a plan to double its investment target for India from an earlier goal of 5 trillion yen ($34 billion) to a new figure of 10 trillion yen ($68 billion) over the next decade. The new investment is anticipated to target areas such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors, with a focus on creating a resilient supply chain.
On the defense front, the two leaders are expected to upgrade the 2008 Declaration on Security Cooperation, which could include expanding cooperation to cover joint military exercises, policy consultations, and technology transfers.
In a symbolic gesture of their collaboration on infrastructure, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Ishiba are scheduled to travel on a Shinkansen, Japan’s high-speed railway, to visit a semiconductor facility. The trip highlights Japan’s commitment to India’s first bullet train project, which is being built between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
The visit is also expected to launch new initiatives in digital and mobility partnerships and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.
