“Namaste, Konnichiwa, Japan,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he addressed the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum in Tokyo on Thursday, marking his first standalone visit to Japan in nearly seven years. Over the two-day trip, PM Modi is set to strengthen bilateral relations, push India’s economic and strategic priorities, and build momentum for regional and global cooperation.
Addressing the India-Japan Economic Forum in Tokyo. Strong business ties between our nations are a vital element of our friendship. https://t.co/OUSvy98eJo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2025
In his opening remarks, Modi said, “The world is not just watching India, it is counting on India. Japan has always been an important partner in India’s development. From metro rail to manufacturing, semiconductors to startups. Japanese companies have invested over USD 40 billion in India.”
“In India, capital does not just grow, it multiplies,” he added.
“Today, India has political stability, economic stability, transparency in policy, and predictability. Today, India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. And, very soon, it is going to become the third-largest economy in the world,” PM Modi said.
He also said, “After the defence and space sectors, we are opening the nuclear energy sector to private players”.
Economic Collaboration and Strategic Dialogue
In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister underlined Japan’s role in India’s growth story. “Japan has always been an important partner in India’s development journey. From metro rail to manufacturing, semiconductors to startups. Japanese companies have invested over USD 40 billion in India,” Modi said.
India’s ambassador to Japan, Sibi George, highlighted that discussions will go beyond bilateral matters, extending to “plurilateral and multilateral” frameworks such as the Quad. “So, when two important leaders of the Indo-Pacific, India and Japan, meet, particularly in this geopolitical situation, they will discuss the entire spectrum of geopolitical issues. Of course, the Quad is a very important topic that will be covered in the discussions,” George said.
George added that talks will focus on the prevailing geopolitical and geo-economic landscape amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war, with both nations expected to deliberate beyond signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
Packed Schedule and Business Focus
On the first day of his visit, PM Modi is attending a business event with Japanese and Indian industry leaders from 10:30 am to 11:10 am, focusing on trade, investment, and technology. He will then meet Japanese dignitaries between 11:30 am and 1:10 pm, followed by a visit to the Zen Buddhist temple Shorinzan-Daruma-Ji. From 2:30 pm to 5:15 pm, Modi will take part in the India-Japan Annual Summit.
During the visit, he is expected to announce partnerships for manufacturing next-generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains in India. Ahead of his departure for Tokyo, the Prime Minister said, “We would endeavor to give new wings to our collaboration, expand the scope and ambition of our economic and investment ties, and advance cooperation in new and emerging technologies, including AI and Semiconductors.”
Trade between India and Japan has shown resilience, with bilateral trade reaching USD 21 billion in the first nine months of FY 2024-25. Japan is India’s fifth-largest source of FDI, with cumulative investments amounting to USD 43.2 billion as of December 2024. Annual inflows stood at USD 3.1 billion in 2023-24 and USD 1.36 billion between April and December 2024-25.
Modi to Attend SCO Summit in China After Japan Visit
Following his Japan engagements, PM Modi will travel to Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. On the sidelines, he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“India is an active and constructive member of SCO. During our presidency, we have introduced new ideas and initiated collaboration in the fields of innovation, health and cultural exchanges,” Modi said. “I also look forward to meeting President Xi Jinping, President Putin and other leaders on the sidelines of the summit.”
Expressing optimism, he added, “I am confident that my visits to Japan and China would further our national interests and priorities, and contribute to building fruitful cooperation in advancing regional and global peace, security, and sustainable development.”
