New Delhi/Tokyo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Japan this week for the annual India-Japan summit, with discussions on the Quad expected to take centre stage. The visit comes as India and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific through the Quad grouping.

Quad’s Strategic Role

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri underlined the importance of the Quad — comprising India, Japan, the US and Australia — in ensuring peace, stability, prosperity and development across the Indo-Pacific. He said the platform’s agenda now spans critical technologies, resilient supply chains, health security and infrastructure development.

“Both our countries attach high value to this forum. I am sure when the two prime ministers meet, the Quad will be a subject of discussion,” Misri said.

Key Outcomes Expected

During his two-day visit starting Thursday, Modi will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Among the expected outcomes is an upgrade of the 2008 joint declaration on security cooperation, aligning it with present-day realities.

Japan is also set to announce an investment package of $68 billion in India over the next 10 years, covering areas such as infrastructure and economic security. Defence cooperation will be another priority, with a focus on joint exercises, technology transfer and the launch of an economic security initiative.

High-Profile Engagements

Modi is also expected to travel by bullet train from Tokyo to Sendai, where he will visit a semiconductor facility. The trip is seen as a signal of India’s growing emphasis on advanced technology partnerships with Japan.

Meanwhile, Japan is hoping India and the US can iron out differences ahead of a planned Quad summit later this year. Whether US President Donald Trump will attend the summit in India remains uncertain.

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