PM Modi’s Japan-China Visit: India Flips the Diplomacy Switch, Trump Feels the Heat

International News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set out on a high-stakes tour of Asia’s two economic giants— Japan and China. At a time when the United States has imposed a steep 50% tariff on Indian goods, straining bilateral trade ties, global attention is firmly fixed on Modi’s diplomatic moves in Tokyo and Beijing.

Japan: Gateway to Technology and Investment

The first stop of the visit is Japan, a country that shares a deep and trusted partnership with India and is also a key member of the Quad grouping. With potential trade losses looming due to US tariffs, Modi is expected to seek stronger Japanese cooperation to fast-track the Make in India mission and attract large-scale investments.

Japan’s role could prove pivotal. Reports suggest Japanese firms are likely to invest around $68 billion in India by the next decade, while Suzuki Motor alone has committed $8 billion over the next six years. In the past five years, nearly 25,000 Indian professionals have joined Japan’s workforce, reflecting growing people-to-people and economic ties. Beyond trade, talks are also expected to focus on regional security cooperation and access to Japanese technology in critical areas, including rare earth extraction, semiconductors, robotics, and green energy.

東京に到着しました。インドと日本が開発協力を引き続き強化する中、本訪問では石破総理をはじめとする方々と意見交換し、既存のパートナーシップを深化させ、新たな協力の可能性を探る機会となることを期待しています。@shigeruishiba pic.twitter.com/h4ZahMDIk2

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2025

China: A Delicate Balancing Act

The second leg of the tour takes PM Modi to Tianjin, China, where he will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. This is Modi’s first trip to China in seven years, taking place in the shadow of the 2020 Galwan Valley clash that strained ties.

While tensions remain, the meeting between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping could prove significant. Both nations, wary of US trade unpredictability under President Donald Trump, appear open to exploring new avenues of economic cooperation. Recent Chinese statements supporting India on tariff issues suggest space for a cautious reset.

A Chance to Reset and Realign

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has underlined that Modi’s visit offers a rare chance to “launch new initiatives and deepen partnerships.” For India, the stakes are high—from securing Japanese investments to cautiously rebuilding economic engagement with China. In the broader geopolitical chessboard, this tour is being viewed as a bid to safeguard India’s national interests while also shaping the Asian response to shifting global trade dynamics.