What Happened at the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit? Insights from PM Modi's Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently attended the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit in Tokyo, where he engaged in discussions with Japanese leaders, including PM Shigeru Ishiba. The summit focused on enhancing economic ties and cooperation in various sectors such as technology and trade. Modi's visit also included meetings with former Prime Ministers Fumio Kishida and Yoshihide Suga, emphasizing the importance of bilateral relations. The Indian community in Japan warmly welcomed him, showcasing their cultural heritage. Following this summit, PM Modi is set to attend the SCO Summit in China. Read on for more insights from this significant diplomatic event.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 29, 2025, 17:07 IST

Highlights from the India-Japan Annual Summit

Tokyo: On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba convened for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit at Kantei, the official residence of Japan's Prime Minister. The meeting was attended by key officials including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and India's Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George.

Upon his arrival, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour at Kantei, setting the stage for the summit discussions.

Earlier, both leaders addressed the India-Japan Economic Forum, which saw participation from CEOs and business leaders across various sectors. PM Modi emphasized the strong economic ties between India and Japan, highlighting potential areas for enhanced collaboration in the future.

In a post shared on X, PM Modi remarked, "I addressed a business event in Tokyo. The presence of Prime Minister Ishiba made this occasion even more significant, underscoring our commitment to strengthening bilateral economic ties. I discussed India's robust economic relationship with Japan and identified sectors where we can enhance cooperation, such as in automobiles, batteries, robotics, semiconductors, shipbuilding, and nuclear energy."

PM Modi further elaborated on the importance of tech-talent synergy to drive the technological revolution of this century, emphasizing green energy for a sustainable future. He noted that Japan's expertise combined with India's scale could lead to remarkable advancements in next-gen infrastructure, skill development, and people-to-people connections.

Additionally, PM Modi met with former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, where they discussed the progress in their bilateral partnership, focusing on trade, critical technologies, and human resource mobility.

In another post on X, PM Modi expressed, "I had a wonderful meeting with former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who has always championed closer India-Japan relations. We reviewed the advancements in our bilateral partnership across trade, critical technologies, and human resource mobility, and explored the vast potential in emerging sectors like technology and semiconductors."

PM Modi also engaged with former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, discussing various aspects of cooperation between the two nations.

"I had a productive meeting with Mr. Yoshihide Suga, former Prime Minister of Japan and Chairperson of the Japan-India Association. We explored numerous dimensions of India-Japan cooperation and how we can further enhance it, including technology, AI, trade, and investment," PM Modi shared on X.

Arriving in Tokyo early Friday morning for a two-day visit, PM Modi was welcomed by Japan’s Ambassador to India, ONO Keiichi, and other senior officials. The Indian community in Japan greeted him with traditional performances and enthusiastic cheers, which PM Modi acknowledged, praising their efforts to maintain cultural roots while contributing to Japanese society.

In a post on X, he stated, "I was deeply moved by the warmth of the Indian community in Tokyo. Their commitment to making significant contributions to Japanese society while preserving our cultural heritage is commendable. I plan to engage with business leaders shortly to further invigorate trade and investment relations between India and Japan."

Following his engagements in Japan, PM Modi is scheduled to visit China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1.