AI, bullet trains, big investments: Inside PM Modi’s Japan visit agenda

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Japan early on Friday two-day trip. Earlier on Thursday, he stated that the central focus of his trip would be to deepen the special strategic and global partnership that New Delhi and Tokyo have steadily developed over the past 11 years.

Before departing, Modi emphasised that the visit aims to give a fresh boost to economic and investment ties, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and other emerging technologies. “We will strive to give new wings to our collaboration, expand the scope of our economic engagement, and take forward cooperation in advanced technologies. The visit will also reinforce our civilizational bonds and cultural ties,” he said in a post.

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According to a Bloomberg report, Modi’s two-day trip may see investment commitments of nearly $68 billion, alongside the signing of an economic security pact centred on semiconductors, critical minerals, and AI.

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Another major highlight is expected on the infrastructure front. India and Japan are reportedly close to finalising an agreement to manufacture next-generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains in India—a project being compared in scale and impact to the Maruti Suzuki joint venture of the 1980s. An announcement could come during Modi’s stay.

In Japan, Modi is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and also interact with several prefectural governors.

During the visit in Japan, the two Prime Ministers will review the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan, including defense and security, trade and economy, technology and innovation, and people to people exchanges, as well as discuss issues of regional and global importance. The visit will reaffirm the longstanding special bond of friendship between the two countries.

This will be Prime Minister Modi’s eighth visit to Japan, and the first Summit with Prime Minister Ishiba, added the MEA.

After wrapping up his engagements in Tokyo, the Prime Minister will head to Tianjin, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where he is slated to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 31.

“In the second leg of his visit, at the invitation of the President of China, HE Xi Jinping, Prime Minister will travel to China from 31 August to 1 September 2025 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. On the sidelines of the Summit, Prime Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with several leaders attending the Summit.

India has been a member of SCO since 2017. It held the presidency of the Council of Heads of State of SCO during 2022-23,” MEA said in its statement.