Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tokyo, Japan, on the morning of Friday, August 29, 2025, marking his eighth official visit to the island nation.
The visit underscores the growing warmth and strategic depth of India-Japan relations, built over decades of mutual trust, shared democratic values, and a vision of peace and progress.
Welcomed warmly by his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, PM Modi embarked on a two-day visit that showcased not just diplomatic cooperation but a heartfelt friendship between the two nations.
The highlight of the trip was his participation in the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit, a key platform where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to shaping a “new and golden chapter” of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Speaking at the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum, PM Modi emphasized that India and Japan, as two major democracies and vibrant economies, share a responsibility that extends beyond their national interests.
“Our partnership is a force for global peace, stability, and prosperity,” he declared, underlining that the next decade will witness deep collaboration across trade, digital innovation, clean energy, and space exploration.
A Decade of Growth and Connectivity
During the summit, both sides set an ambitious investment goal of 10 trillion Japanese yen (approx. $67 billion) in India over the next ten years, highlighting the trust and confidence of Japanese businesses in India’s economic transformation.
In addition, over 150 MoUs worth $13 billion were signed, reflecting a surge of private-sector collaboration that will drive innovation, trade, and industrial growth.
Japan and India also finalized a Human Resource Action Plan, aiming to facilitate the exchange of 500,000 individuals over five years.
This includes 50,000 skilled Indian professionals and workers relocating to Japan, symbolizing a dynamic exchange of talent and knowledge between the two nations.
Standing United Against Terrorism and Instability
Reinforcing their shared security vision, both Prime Ministers unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism.
They called for decisive global action against groups such as Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammad, stressing the need for collective measures to dismantle terrorist financing networks and safe havens.
Pioneering Innovation and Digital Leadership
The summit marked the launch of Digital Partnership 2.0, an ambitious blueprint to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
This initiative will encourage collaboration between startups, SMEs, and tech enterprises from both countries, building a digital bridge that fosters innovation-driven growth.
Space Collaboration for Humanity’s Future
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to space exploration, announcing a landmark partnership between ISRO and JAXA for the Chandrayaan-5 LUPEX mission.
This lunar mission aims to search for signs of human habitation on the moon and lays the foundation for India’s vision of landing astronauts on the moon by 2040.
Beyond Chandrayaan-5, India and Japan will jointly explore planets, leveraging their respective strengths in space science and technology.
The signing of an implementation arrangement during this summit will fast-track these groundbreaking projects.
Green Partnership and Climate Leadership
A new Joint Crediting Mechanism for climate change was finalized, enabling Japanese companies to collaborate with India in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through decarbonizing technologies and sustainable infrastructure.
The two nations also launched initiatives in sustainable fuels and battery supply chains, underlining their shared vision of a cleaner, greener world.
Cultural Diplomacy and Timeless Friendship
PM Modi’s visit was enriched with symbolic cultural diplomacy, a gesture of India’s respect for Japan’s traditions. He gifted PM Ishiba a vintage moonstone bowl set with silver chopsticks and a handwoven Kashmiri shawl, showcasing India’s artisanal heritage.
For PM Ishiba’s wife, Yoshiko, Modi presented a handwoven Ladakhi pashmina shawl, known for its exquisite softness and timeless elegance—gifts that symbolize India’s warmth and cultural richness.
PM Ishiba fondly recalled his visit to Varanasi six years ago, expressing admiration for India’s ancient civilization and cultural depth.
“Japan and India share the fundamental values of democracy and the rule of law. In these uncertain times, our friendship and cooperation are essential for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
Looking Ahead: A Partnership of Trust
Both leaders highlighted that the India-Japan partnership is rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and unwavering trust.
Together, the two nations envision a free, open, peaceful, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, strengthened by cooperation in defense, maritime security, and economic security.
Calling the visit a turning point in bilateral relations, PM Modi invited PM Ishiba to India for the next Annual Summit, reaffirming that their partnership is not merely diplomatic but a bond of friendship dedicated to shaping a better future for humanity.
As PM Modi departs for China to attend the SCO Summit in Tianjin, his visit stands as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of India-Japan ties, which combine technological excellence, economic strength, and a shared dream of a brighter future for the world.
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