India, Japan Expected Strengthen Security, Economic Ties Indo-Pacific

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Japan for a two-day summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, marking Modi's first standalone summit with Ishiba. The leaders are expected to issue a joint statement emphasizing collaboration in security, economic development, and human exchanges, while expressing opposition to unilateral changes in the Indo-Pacific maritime status quo, implicitly addressing concerns about China's military activities. Defense and security cooperation has become a key pillar of their relationship, highlighted by recent meetings between defense ministers and ongoing joint projects such as the UNICORN radar mast for the Indian Navy and potential cooperation on ship maintenance. The summit will also set ambitious targets for private-sector investment by Japan in India and increased people-to-people exchanges. Both countries aim to deepen Quad collaboration with the United States and Australia, expanding their regional influence and cooperation. This visit reflects a decade of expanding ties across trade, technology, infrastructure, and cultural engagement, underscoring the strategic importance of their partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.