Tokyo | August 29, 2025 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his two-day visit to Japan with a warm welcome in Tokyo. His trip is seen as an important step in strengthening India-Japan ties. Before leaving India, Modi had said that this visit would focus on economic cooperation, technology partnerships, and regional peace. He also expressed confidence that it would take the special strategic and global partnership between the two countries to the next level.

Meeting with Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba

Soon after his arrival, PM Modi held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The meeting focused on trade, investment, defence, and cultural exchanges. Both leaders expressed their commitment to building a partnership that benefits not just the two nations but also the wider region.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri earlier explained that India-Japan relations have steadily grown over the past decade. He said this summit would serve as an opportunity to review past progress and launch new initiatives for future growth.

India – A Fast-Growing Economy

At the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum in Tokyo, PM Modi gave a strong message about India’s role in the global economy. He said India is the fastest-growing major economy and will soon become the third-largest economy in the world. This growth, he explained, is supported by political stability, economic reforms, and predictable policies that encourage investors.

He told Japanese business leaders that the world is counting on India and invited them to join India’s journey of growth. His call was clear: “Come to India, invest in India, and make for the world.”

Tech Powerhouse + Talent Powerhouse

Modi described the partnership between the two countries in simple but powerful terms: Japan is a technology powerhouse, and India is a talent powerhouse. According to him, this combination has the potential to lead the technology revolution of the 21st century.

He explained that India has already taken bold steps in new-age sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space. With Japan’s cutting-edge technology and India’s large skilled workforce, both nations can drive innovation at a global level.

Building on Past Success

The Prime Minister pointed to the success of India and Japan in the automobile industry as an example of what can be achieved when the two countries work together. Japanese car makers have been a key part of India’s manufacturing story for decades. Modi said this success could now be repeated in other areas like robotics, nuclear energy, ship-building, and semiconductors.

Bullet Train Plans on the Agenda

One of the most talked-about topics during the visit is the possibility of India and Japan working together on the next-generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains. According to reports, an announcement could be made during Modi’s visit. If it goes ahead, this project would mark another major milestone in the India-Japan partnership and could transform India’s transport infrastructure.

India as a Gateway to the Global South

Another strong point Modi made was about India’s role as a gateway for Japanese companies to the Global South. He explained that Japanese firms could use India not only as a production hub but also as a launchpad to reach markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This would open up new opportunities for both sides and strengthen global supply chains.

Regional Peace and Security

While economics and technology were major themes of the visit, defence and security were also high on the agenda. Both leaders spoke about the importance of keeping the Indo-Pacific region free, open, and stable.

India and Japan are also partners in the Quad grouping along with the United States and Australia. PM Modi is expected to discuss ways to deepen cooperation within the Quad, especially as India prepares to host the next meeting later this year.

The ASEAN Century

PM Modi stressed that India and Japan would play a key role in shaping what he called the “ASEAN Century.” By working together, the two countries can bring stability, prosperity, and growth not just to their own nations but to the entire Southeast Asian region.

What This Means for Business Leaders

For Japanese business leaders, Modi’s speech was an open invitation to look at India as a land of opportunity. He assured them that India offers a stable environment, a young workforce, and policies that support long-term growth. For India, stronger investments from Japan mean faster growth, new jobs, and advanced technology coming into the country.

Next Stop: China

After completing his Japan visit, PM Modi will travel to Tianjin, China, to attend the SCO Summit. There, he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. These meetings are expected to cover not only regional security but also global cooperation at a time when the world is facing multiple challenges.

A Partnership for the Future

PM Modi’s Japan visit highlights how important the India-Japan partnership has become in today’s world. By combining Japan’s technology strengths and India’s talent and scale, the two countries aim to lead in innovation, trade, and regional stability.

With new opportunities in bullet trains, robotics, nuclear energy, and semiconductors, this partnership looks set to grow even stronger. More importantly, both leaders are sending a message: India and Japan together are ready to shape the future of Asia and beyond.