‘To further national interests’: PM Modi heads to Japan, China; what’s on agenda

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that his visits to Japan and China are aimed to further India’s national interests, focusing on strengthening strategic partnerships, expanding economic and technological cooperation and promoting regional peace and stability.According to a departure statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), he will travel to Japan at the invitation of his counterpart Shigeru Ishiba for the 15th Annual Summit, before proceeding to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin.The departure statement read that India-Japan partnership had made “steady and significant progress” over the past eleven years and stressed that the two nations would now work on “shaping the next phase” of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership. “We would endeavor 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,” he added.The prime minister also underlined the cultural dimension of the visit, noting that it would provide an opportunity to deepen “civilizational bonds and cultural ties” between the people of the two countries.

Departure statement

From Japan, Modi will travel to Tianjin, China, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping to participate in the SCO Summit. Reiterating India’s role as an “active and constructive member” of the grouping, he said India had, during its presidency, introduced new initiatives in innovation, health and cultural exchanges. “I also look forward to meeting President Xi Jinping, President Putin and other leaders on the sidelines of the Summit,” the statement read. It added that India remains committed to working with SCO members to tackle shared challenges and expand regional cooperation.Expressing optimism, the statement concluded, “I am confident that my visits to Japan and China would further our national interests and priorities, and contribute to building fruitful cooperation in advancing regional and global peace, security, and sustainable development.”