India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at a joint press conference in Tokyo on Aug 29, 2025. - Reuters
TOKYO: India and Japan are seeking to boost cooperation in light of the Trump administration's protectionist trade policy, the two countries' prime ministers vowed in Tokyo on Friday (Aug 29).
Japan plans to double private investment in India to 10 billion yen (US$68 million) over the next 10 years, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
Just days before Modi's visit to Japan, new US tariffs on Indian goods came into effect, doubling the previous levy to 50%, as President Donald Trump seeks to punish New Delhi for its continued purchase of Russian oil.
But in the eyes of Japan, maintaining good relations with India, the most populous country in the world with some 1.4 billion inhabitants, is crucial as the South Asian nation looks poised to become the third biggest economy behind the US and China due to the rapid growth it is experiencing.
Speaking at the Japan India Economic Forum in Tokyo ahead of his meeting with Ishiba, Modi described Japan as a technological powerhouse, while hailing India as a powerhouse of talent.
The two premiers signed a number of cooperation agreements also designed to expand collaboration in defence matters.
India and Japan, alongside the US and Australia, are part of the so-called Quad partnership, which is aiming to push back China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
After his visit to Japan, Modi is due to travel to China where he is due to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also expected to attend, as he plans to spend several days in China in a rare trip abroad. - dpa
