PM Modi to Visit Japan, China for Key Summits

New Delhi, Aug 23 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-nation visit later this month, traveling to Japan on August 29-30 and China on August 31-September 1 to participate in crucial bilateral and multilateral engagements.

The Prime Minister will first visit Tokyo for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit, where he will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The two leaders are expected to review the Special Strategic and Global Partnership covering defence and security, trade and economy, technology and innovation, and people-to-people exchanges. They will also discuss pressing regional and global issues.

“The visit will reaffirm the longstanding special bond of friendship between the two countries,” the External Affairs Ministry said.

Following his Japan visit, Modi will travel to Tianjin, China, to attend the 25th Heads of State meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The summit, chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping, will bring together leaders from over 20 nations and representatives of 10 international organizations, including the UN and ASEAN.

Key Issues at SCO Summit

At the Tianjin Summit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to raise the issue of terrorism, reiterating India’s stand on zero tolerance against terror. This follows India’s refusal to sign the SCO Defence Ministers’ Joint Declaration in June, after it failed to mention the Pahalgam terror attack.

President Xi will announce new measures for SCO cooperation, unveil a development strategy for the next decade, and issue joint declarations on global security and economic issues with other leaders.

The summit will also commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th founding anniversary of the United Nations.

Bilateral Significance with China

Modi’s expected bilateral meeting with President Xi on the sidelines of the SCO is being viewed as significant, particularly in the backdrop of recent efforts by India and China to stabilize ties after the Galwan Valley clashes. The visit marks an important step in rekindling engagement between the two neighbours.

Global Participation

Other leaders attending the summit include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The Tianjin Summit is set to be the largest in SCO’s history, with multiple outcome documents expected on strengthening security, boosting economic cooperation, and enhancing cultural and people-to-people exchanges.