Putin, Jinping (File image)
New Delhi: As he departed for Tokyo Thursday, PM Narendra Modi expressed confidence his visit to Japan and China would further India’s national interests and priorities, while contributing to building fruitful cooperation in advancing regional and global peace, security, and sustainable development.Modi also said he was looking forward to meeting Chinese and Russian Presidents, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, respectively, on the margins of the SCO summit in Tianjin. While Modi will arrive in Tianjin on Saturday evening, he will kick off his official engagements in China on Sunday morning with a formal meeting with Xi. The meeting is expected to last for 40 minutes. The bilateral with Putin will take place Monday.On Sunday evening, Modi will attend the official reception that Xi will host for the visiting leaders. The main SCO summit is on Monday.”India is an active and constructive member of SCO. During our Presidency, we have introduced new ideas and initiated collaboration in the fields of innovation, health and cultural exchanges. India remains committed to working with the SCO members to address shared challenges and deepen regional cooperation,” said Modi in his departure statement. The PM is likely to underline India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism at the summit, even without naming Pakistan. India has been working with other member-states to ensure a strong condemnation of terrorism in the Tianjin Declaration.Modi is visiting Japan for the 15th Annual Summit en route to China. Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba will host the summit on Friday.”During my visit, we would focus on shaping the next phase in our Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which has made steady and significant progress over the past eleven years,” said Modi.”We would endeavour to give new wings to our collaboration, expand scope and ambition of our economic and investment ties, and advance cooperation in new and emerging technologies, including AI and semiconductors. The visit will also be an opportunity to strengthen our civilisational bonds and cultural ties that connect our peoples,” he added. The visit is expected to see significant announcements like $68 billion investment by Japan into India over the next 10 years and an upgrade of the 2008 agreement for security cooperation.
