Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Japan underscores the multifaceted nature of the India-Japan relationship, extending from high-speed rail to semiconductor manufacturing and strategic cooperation. The two-day visit, commencing on August 29, 2025, included the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

A highlight of the visit was the expected advancement of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shinkansen project, a symbol of Indo-Japanese collaboration. Modi and Ishiba were scheduled to travel on the Shinkansen High-Speed Rail network to Sendai, recreating a similar experience Modi shared with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2016. Discussions included the potential manufacturing of E10 Shinkansen bullet trains in India, derived from the ALFA-X experimental train, which would further strengthen economic cooperation between the two nations. Japan is also expected to donate two Shinkansen bullet trains to India by 2026 and introduce its next-generation E10 trains on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad line in 2030.

Beyond railways, semiconductors were a key focus. The leaders were slated to visit a semiconductor factory, reflecting the growing cooperation in emerging technologies. Japan is reportedly planning to shift legacy semiconductor, LCD, and battery production to India to reduce dependence on China. This initiative involves transferring production of older technologies that rely on mature manufacturing tools to India. Sectors include liquid crystal displays, solar power equipment, storage batteries, and compressors. India will also adopt legislation to combat technology leakage.

The summit also addressed broader strategic and economic initiatives. Modi and Ishiba were expected to upgrade the 2008 Declaration on Security Cooperation, encompassing defense hardware purchases, and launch an "Economic Security" initiative to build resilient supply chains in areas like critical minerals and Artificial Intelligence. Japan's investment targets in India are expected to increase to around $68 billion. A "2035 Vision Statement" is planned to upgrade the "2025 Vision Statement" announced a decade prior. Around 100 business-to-business agreements are estimated to be signed.

The Quad grouping remains an important platform for talks, despite tensions in India-U.S. ties. Priorities for the Australia-India-Japan-U.S. grouping include cooperation on health, critical and emerging technologies, resilient supply chains and infrastructure.

Modi was also scheduled to meet with members of the Indian diaspora in Japan, which numbers around 54,000. The diaspora is largely active in technology sectors. There is potential for deeper people-to-people engagement, including increasing the number of Indian students in Japan.

Following his Japan visit, Modi will travel to China for the SCO Summit in Tianjin, where he is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.