Modi in Tokyo: Quad, business, Indo-Pacific on agenda

TOKYO: With the overarching goal of shaping a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific, Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in Tokyo on a crisp morning for a two-day visit, which will include participation in the Quad summit and separate bilateral talks with the leaders of Japan, the US and Australia. A rapturous welcome  by members of the Indian community, sporting Indian flag, greeted PM Modi on his arrival in Japan. “Japan’s Indian community has made pioneering contributions in different fields. They have also remained connected with their roots in India. I thank the Indian diaspora in Japan for the warm welcome,” PM Modi tweeted. Later in the day, PM Modi will address the Indian community at a function. Japan is home to around 40,000 persons of Indian origin and expat Indians. Day 1 of PM Modi’s visit to Tokyo will focus on meeting business titans of Japan and explore new opportunities for attracting Japanese investment into India. On May 23, PM Modi will also attend the formal launch of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEC) by US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. On May 24, PM Modi’s schedule is packed with the Quad summit as the centrepiece and bilateral meetings with the leaders of US, Japan and Australia.