As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to depart for Japan on August 28, followed by a visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, he does so not merely as a guest at two high-level summits, but as a leader carefully navigating the increasingly polarised geopolitics of Asia. In a world defined by competing power centres and strategic realignments, Modi’s back-to-back engagements in Tokyo and Beijing are anything but message to the world.
During the first leg of his tour from August 29-30, Modi will attend the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit in Tokyo. This marks his eighth visit to Japan and his first official summit with Prime Minister Ishiba. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the visit is expected to “consolidate our friendship and open fresh avenues for cooperation.” Highlighting the importance of the trip, Misri said India and Japan share “trust” and a “strategic outlook,” making the visit especially significant. The two leaders will review the Special Strategic and Global Partnership, with discussions covering defence and security, trade and economy, technology and innovation and people-to-people exchanges.