"Namaste, Konnichiwa, Japan," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he spoke at the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum shortly after landing in Tokyo, his first standalone visit to Japan in almost seven years. During the next two days, PM Modi will aim to advance India's national interest, deepen bilateral ties, and build momentum for regional and global cooperation.

"The world is not just watching India; it is counting on India. 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," PM Modi said at the start of his address.

The Prime Minister positioned India as a stable and promising investment destination. "In India, capital does not just grow, it multiplies," he said.

"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 told the forum.

Elaborating on his call for new partnerships, he stated, "After the defence and space sectors, we are opening the nuclear energy sector to private players".

India's envoy to Japan, Sibi George, emphasised that the talks will not be limited to bilateral issues but will also involve "plurilateral and multilateral" frameworks such as the Quad, which play a key role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The discussions were expected to go beyond the signing of Memorandums of Understanding, with both leaders scheduled to consider the prevailing geopolitical and geo-economic landscape amid US President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war, Sibi George said, according to ANI.

"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.

As India faces growing trade frictions with the United States, New Delhi is looking to strengthen its economic cooperation with Tokyo and explore new opportunities in trade, technology, and investment. Beyond economics, the visit highlights the strategic convergence of two major Asian democracies whose relationship is built on civilisational ties, regional security, and global governance.

This trip is PM Modi’s first standalone visit to Japan in nearly seven years and his first bilateral summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Modi last attended the India-Japan Annual Summit in 2018. It is also his eighth visit to Japan since taking office in 2014.

PM Modi took part in a business session with leaders of Japanese and Indian industries to strengthen trade, investment, and technology cooperation. During his two-day visit, he is expected to announce partnerships for producing the next-generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains in India.

Following the business event, PM Modi met Japanese dignitaries. In the afternoon, he visited the Zen Buddhist temple Shorinzan-Daruma-Ji before attending the India-Japan Annual Summit.

"We would endeavour 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," PM Modi said before leaving for Japan.

India-Japan trade has remained steady. According to Reuters, bilateral trade reached $ 21 billion in the first nine months of the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Japan is India's fifth-largest source of foreign direct investment, with total inflows of USD 43.2 billion until December 2024. FDI inflows from Japan stood at USD 3.1 billion in 2023-24 and USD 1.36 billion in April-December 2024-25.

After his Japan trip, PM Modi will travel to Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1 to attend the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation 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," PM Modi said. "I also look forward to meeting President Xi Jinping, President Putin and other leaders on the sidelines of the summit."

He underlined India’s commitment to working with SCO members to address shared challenges and to strengthen regional cooperation. "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," he said.