Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Japan in late August for the annual summit, followed by a potential trip to China in early September for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. His visit to China would be his first since 2019.

India-Japan Relations

India and Japan share a "Special Strategic and Global Partnership," which has grown stronger in the last decade. This partnership is rooted in historical and cultural ties and has expanded to include economic and security cooperation. In May 2025, India and Japan agreed to add new dimensions to their cooperation, with Japan expressing its full support for India's attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Areas of cooperation between India and Japan:

• Economic Cooperation: Japan has been supporting India through Official Development Assistance (ODA) with a focus on manufacturing and infrastructure projects like the Delhi Metro and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train. Japan is also the fifth-largest investor in India.
• Defense and Security: India and Japan conduct joint military exercises like JIMEX and Dharma Guardian. They also engage in institutional defense cooperation through the annual 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. Both countries are working towards maritime security in the Indian Ocean, East China Sea, and South China Sea. They also participate in naval exercises like the Malabar Exercise. India and Japan have been strengthening their bilateral defense ties, which is seen as a crucial strategic counterbalance to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Technology: India and Japan are working together on digital technologies, climate change efforts, and healthcare. They are also collaborating on cybersecurity strategies and sharing knowledge on cybercrime. Both countries can collaborate on lithium batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage.
• Cultural Exchange: The Japan Foundation promotes Japanese language classes, teacher training programs, and cultural events in India. Sister city partnerships like Kobe-Ahmedabad and Varanasi-Kyoto are also fostering tourism.

India-China Relations

Since a border agreement in late 2024, relations between India and China appear to be improving. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the India-China relationship has been gradually moving in a positive direction since the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan in October 2024.

Key aspects of the India-China relationship:

• Economic Ties: China was India's second-largest trading partner in FY2024–25. In 2023, bilateral trade reached a record US$136.2 billion.
• Border Issues: Following a violent border clash in June 2020, India and China have been working to stabilize their bilateral relationship. Talks hint at possible de-escalation.
• Multilateral Cooperation: India and China cooperate within multilateral frameworks such as the SCO and BRICS.

However, challenges remain in the India-China relationship:

• Trade Imbalance: India has a large trade deficit with China.
• Security Concerns: The Indian Army remains cautious about the situation at the border and security risks related to China.
• Geopolitical Competition: Competition with China has led India to seek partnerships with other countries in the Indo-Pacific and Europe.
• Terrorism: India has raised concerns with China about terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Prime Minister Modi's expected visits to Japan and China in August-September 2025 signal India's commitment to strengthening ties with both countries, while also addressing complex regional and global challenges.