Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on his first bilateral visit to Japan after 7 years for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit. The visit is being seen in both countries as providing new strategic impetus to the already longstanding and important bilateral relationship with AI, bullet trains and big investment announcements on the cards.
PM Modi landed in Japan earlier today at the invitation of his counterpart, Shigeru Ishiba. During the two-day visit, he will hold wide-ranging discussions on regional and global peace, security, and other key areas of cooperation.
Addressing the India-Japan Economic Forum in Tokyo the PM stated, “Strong business ties between our nations are a vital element of our friendship.”
“In every sector, our partnership stands as a symbol of mutual trust. Japanese companies have already invested over 40 billion dollars in India. In just the last two years, private investment has grown significantly,” he added.
He stated that India today is one of the most promising destinations for investors. According to JETRO, nearly 80 percent of Japanese companies are keen to expand their presence in India. “In our country, capital does not merely grow — it multiplies.” he declared.
“You are all aware of the unprecedented transformation India has undergone in the last 11 years. Today, there is political and economic stability, policies are transparent, and the system offers predictability. India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world and is on course to soon become the third-largest global economy,” he said.
He further said that India has a strong banking sector, low inflation, and low interest rates. India is also opening up our nuclear energy sector. Behind all of this lies our resolve, our conviction, and our clear strategy to develop India.
“The world has recognized this progress. Recently, S&P Global upgraded India’s credit rating outlook. The world is not just watching India anymore — it is counting on India,” he said.
PM Modi highlights Indian-Japan partnerships in various sectors
At the Economic Forum in Tokyo, PM Modi highlighted the agreement signed between the two nations in the field of clean fuel.
“India has taken bold and ambitious initiatives in AI, semiconductor, quantum computing, biotech, and space. The technology of Japan and the talent of India can together lead the tech revolution of this century….India-Japan have signed an agreement on Joint Credit Mechanism for cooperation on clean fuel and green future…” the PM stated.
PM Modi shared a vision of shaping the Asian century in partnership with Japan.
The Prime Minister said, “India’s skilled youth talent has the potential to meet global demand, and Japan can also benefit from this. You should train Indian talent in the Japanese language and other skilled areas to create a Japan-ready workforce together. This skilled workforce will fulfil global requirements…”
AI, bullet trains, big investments mark PM Modi’s Japan visit agenda
According to sources in the Indian ministry of external affairs, Modi’s two-day trip may see investment commitments of nearly $68 billion, alongside the signing of an economic security pact centred on semiconductors, critical minerals, and AI.
Another major highlight is expected on the infrastructure front. India and Japan are reportedly close to finalising an agreement to manufacture next-generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains in India—a project being compared in scale and impact to the Maruti Suzuki joint venture of the 1980s. An announcement could come during Modi’s stay.
In Japan, Modi is holding talks with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and will also interact with several prefectural governors.
After wrapping up his engagements in Tokyo, the Prime Minister will head to Tianjin, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where he is slated to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 31.
