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Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Tokyo on Friday for a two-day official visit from 29 to 30 August. His programme includes the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the India-Japan Economic Forum, and meetings with business leaders. The trip comes at a time when New Delhi’s relations with Washington are under strain due to trade and tariff issues under US President Donald Trump.

Address to Japanese industry leaders
At the Economic Forum in Tokyo, Modi opened his speech by saying, “I am happy that my journey is beginning with business giants.” He emphasised Japan’s place in India’s progress. “In India’s development journey, Japan has always been a key partner. From metro rail to manufacturing, semiconductors to startups, our partnership in every sector has become a symbol of mutual trust.”

Japanese investment in India
Modi noted that Japanese companies have already poured more than 40 billion dollars into India. He told the gathering, “In India, capital does not just grow, it multiplies.”

India’s economic rise
The Prime Minister underlined the changes of the past decade. “In the last 11 years, you are well aware of India’s unprecedented transformation; today, there is political and economic stability in the country.” He described India as the fastest growing major economy and added, “Very soon India will become world’s third-largest economy.” Modi also said India is contributing 18 percent to global growth.

Reform agenda
The Prime Minister linked India’s growth to a wider policy push. “This growth story can be attributed to our ‘reform, perform and transform’ approach,” he said. He cited the 2017 launch of Goods and Services Tax, calling it “One Nation, One Tax,” and reminded the audience, “A few weeks back, our Parliament has okayed new IT bill.”

He stressed that reforms went beyond taxation. “We have focused on ease of doing business. For businesses, we have started single window for approvals. We have rationalised 45,000 compliances.”

Opening strategic sectors
Highlighting changes in defence and technology, Modi said, “We have opened sectors like defence and space to the private sector.” He added that nuclear space is now being opened as well, signalling more opportunities for collaboration.

India-Japan cooperation
Reaffirming the importance of Japan, Modi said, “World is not watching India but counting on India.” He told Japanese business leaders, “I urge you to come and make in India and make for the world.”

On industrial ties, Modi noted that the auto sector partnership had already shown results and could be expanded into semiconductors, start-ups, and manufacturing. He added that both nations could play a meaningful role in the Global South, with Africa being a particular focus.

Technology and talent
Looking to the future, Modi said, “Japan is a tech powerhouse and India is a talent powerhouse.” He suggested that together both nations could drive innovation and shape global technology.

Summit agenda and next steps
Talks with Japanese officials are expected to include a pledge to double Japan’s investment target in India and agreements on trade, defence, and science and technology. On Saturday, Modi and Ishiba are scheduled to travel by high-speed train to Sendai city to visit a semiconductor facility.

Technology and talent
Looking ahead, Modi said, “Japan is a tech powerhouse and India is a talent powerhouse.” He added, “Japan’s tech and India’s talent can lead the tech revolution.”

Following the Japan leg, Modi will continue to China, where he is due to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin on 31 August and 1 September.