Advancing cooperation in chips, AI key focus: PM Modi as he departs for Japan and China

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is embarking on a two-day visit to Japan to attend the 15th Annual Summit at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, said the focus of his visit would be on shaping the next phase in the two countries’ Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

“We would endeavour to give new wings to our collaboration, expand the scope and ambition of our economic and investment ties, and advance cooperation in new and emerging technologies, including AI and Semiconductors. The visit will also be an opportunity to strengthen our civilizational bonds and cultural ties that connect our peoples,” PM Modi said in a statement that the Prime Minister’s office shared.

Following the two-day visit, PM Modi will head to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin, at the invitation of the Chinese President Xi Jinping. It should be noted that the Chinese Foreign Minister and Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Yi, visited India, where he also called on the PM. In his meeting with PM Modi, Yi handed over a message and an invitation from President Xi Jinping to the Prime Minister for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit being held in Tianjin.

In his statement, PM Modi said that India is an active and constructive member of the SCO. “During our Presidency, we have introduced new ideas and initiated collaboration in the fields of innovation, health and cultural exchanges. India remains committed to working with the SCO members to address shared challenges and deepen regional cooperation,” he added. PM Modi said that he also looks forward to meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other leaders at the sidelines of the event.

PM’s meeting with his Chinese and Russian counterparts comes close on the heels of India being under the hammer of punitive tariffs of 50% by the Trump administration for importing oil from Russia. India had been importing crude oil from Russia since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. However, President Trump has condemned India’s continued imports of Russian crude oil, with White House trade advisor Peter Navarro claiming that India’s purchasing of Russian crude oil has enabled the funding of Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine and that India must stop. The additional 25% tariffs, in addition to the 25% reciprocal tariffs, were imposed as a penalty.

The PM’s visit to China also comes at a time when India and China have been proactively working towards a détente in their bilateral relationship. The cessation of hostilities has resulted in some positive steps taken by both nations. China, on its part, has resumed the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar. India, on the other hand, has resumed granting tourist visas to Chinese nationals. The two countries also announced that they will disengage troops in Depsang and Demchok, which were the flashpoints where the armies of both nations clashed in 2020. This followed PM Modi’s meeting with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia.