PM Modi to visit Japan and China amid US tariffs, meet Xi at SCO summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is embarking on a key foreign tour beginning Aug 28, which will include visits to Japan and China. The trip comes against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's tariffs, which include a 50% duty on certain Indian imports and an additional 25% “penalty” on Indian purchases of Russian oil, effective Aug 27.

PM Modi will first visit Japan from Aug 28 to Aug 30 to participate in the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the visit is significant for several reasons. It marks PM Modi’s first standalone visit to Japan in nearly seven years and will be his first annual summit with PM Ishiba.

During the summit, both leaders are expected to review bilateral ties in depth and exchange views on regional and global issues.

The meeting is also planned to launch new initiatives aimed at “building greater resilience” in the relationship and responding to emerging opportunities and challenges.

Following the Japan visit, PM Modi will travel to China to attend the 25th meeting of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tianjin on Aug 31 and Sep 1.

The SCO comprises India, China, and eight other members: Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. PM Modi is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Aug 31 during the summit.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to arrive in China on Aug 30 to participate in the summit. This will be the first occasion since the India-Pakistan military conflict in May, following the Pahalgam terror attack, that PM Modi and PM Sharif are present at the same event.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will also attend the SCO summit. When asked about a potential bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Putin, Vikram Misri stated that finalization of such meetings is still being worked out and that a briefing on the engagements will be provided.

The SCO summit takes place amid US trade measures targeting multiple countries, including India and China, under Trump’s “America First” agenda.

The tariffs have been imposed citing unfair trade practices, lack of reciprocal market access, and India’s recent purchase of discounted Russian oil.

Both India and China are seeking to improve ties, which include resuming direct flights after a five-year gap and easing trade barriers, such as reopening border trade at three Himalayan crossings.

PM Modi’s tour, encompassing both Japan and China, is aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties while navigating the global trade tensions heightened by the US tariff actions.