New Delhi, August 28 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed Thursday for a key diplomatic tour to China, Japan, and Russia, aiming to strengthen ties with major global powers as India faces increased US tariffs on its exports.
This marks Modi’s first visit to China in seven years and comes amid rising trade tensions with Washington, where President Donald Trump has doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% over India’s continued Russian oil imports.
Seeking broader economic alliances, Modi is expected to promote his flagship “Make in India” initiative, particularly with Japan. “This will be an opportunity to launch several new initiatives to build greater resilience in the relationship, and to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri ahead of the Japan leg.
Modi’s visit to Japan — a fellow member of the Quad along with Australia and the US — gains added significance amid growing Indo-Pacific security concerns. Japanese companies are set to invest up to 10 trillion yen ($68 billion) in India over the next decade, with Suzuki pledging $8 billion alone.
India and Japan, Modi said this week after visiting a Suzuki plant, are partners “made for each other.” The two leaders will also discuss cooperation on critical minerals and high-value manufacturing.
Meanwhile, Japan’s top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa abruptly canceled a planned US visit Thursday due to a hitch in finalizing a tariff deal with Washington, highlighting broader trade uncertainty.
Following Japan, Modi will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, where he is expected to hold bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit comes as India and China seek to ease tensions following deadly border clashes in 2020.
India and China are discussing reopening direct flights, easing trade barriers, and resuming border trade at three Himalayan crossings. India may also ease scrutiny on Chinese investments, while China has agreed to lift export curbs on fertilizers, rare earths, and tunnel boring machines.
India’s rare earth potential — vital for electronics and clean energy — remains largely untapped due to limited domestic processing capabilities.
Modi’s outreach to Beijing, Tokyo, and Moscow underscores New Delhi’s strategy to broaden its partnerships, using global alliances as leverage amid Washington’s growing trade pressure.
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