Indian Prime Minister Modi Embarks on Key Overseas Tour Amid U.S. Trade Tensions
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads overseas on August 28 to meet the leaders of China, Japan, and Russia, aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties as New Delhi faces the economic fallout of U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalating tariff measures.
By deepening cooperation with some of the world’s largest economies, including his first visit to China in seven years, Modi seeks to gather support for his flagship “Make in India” initiative. Japan, in particular, is expected to play a crucial role, as Trump’s aggressive tariffs push countries to look for new partnerships.
According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Modi’s Japan visit will serve as an opportunity to launch fresh initiatives that can “build greater resilience in the relationship and respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.” With Trump imposing tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian exports, the timing of this engagement is significant.
Modi’s visit to Japan on August 29–30 also highlights the importance of the Quad grouping—India, Japan, Australia, and the U.S.—which seeks to balance China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Despite tensions with Washington, India remains committed to expanding security and economic cooperation with Tokyo.
Japanese firms are projected to invest up to 10 trillion yen ($68 billion) in India over the next decade. Suzuki Motor alone pledged around $8 billion over the next five to six years. Leaders from both nations are expected to finalize discussions on critical minerals and high-value manufacturing investments. Modi called India and Japan “partners made for each other” after visiting a Suzuki plant earlier this week.
Following Japan, Modi will travel to China for a two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. India and China are exploring the resumption of direct flights after a five-year pause, easing of trade barriers, and reopening border trade routes across the Himalayas.
Analysts suggest Washington’s tariff stance may push India closer to China, potentially nudging New Delhi toward regional trade blocs like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). While opportunities exist, experts caution that India-China ties still face deep-rooted challenges.
For the Indian diaspora and global observers tracking diplomatic developments, New India Abroad notes that this tour marks one of Modi’s most significant efforts to recalibrate India’s foreign policy in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
