Monday marked the arrival of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in India. Where he is expected to discuss strengthening trade and technology ties, as well as concerns about China.
India and Japan, along with the United States and Australia, form the Quad alliance, which positions itself as a barrier against President Xi Jinping’s China’s expanding assertiveness in Asia.
Since 2020, when 20 Indian troops and at least four Chinese soldiers were slain on their disputed Himalayan border, relations between India and China have been frosty.
Kishida’s visit comes less than two weeks after his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss China and strengthening trade ties.
In May, Albanese is scheduled to host all Quad leaders. Albanese is also forging closer ties with the United States and the United Kingdom under the separate so-called AUKUS alliance.
China sees the Quad as an attempt to surround it, despite the Quad’s denials.
Modi and Kishida were anticipated to announce initiatives about clean energy, digital trade, and infrastructure. As part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which was launched last year.
As G7 president, Kishida was expected to ask Modi to a May summit, according to media reports.
India presently holds the Group of 20’s rotating presidency.
