Modi to Visit Japan Next Week and Then China; India and France to Jointly Design and Manufacture Aircraft Engine

The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday through a statement that Prime Minister Modi will visit Japan from August 29 to 30, attending the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit, at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This will be Modi's eighth visit to Japan and his first meeting with Ishiba. The Indian side also mentioned that, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Modi will visit Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit held there. During the summit, Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings with several leaders attending the summit.

The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that during Modi's visit to Japan, the two leaders will review the special strategic and global partnership between India and Japan, covering areas such as defense, security, trade and economy, technological innovation, and cultural exchanges, and discuss regional and global important issues. This visit will reiterate the long-term special friendship between India and Japan.

According to reports by Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK), it is expected that both sides will reach an agreement on establishing a new framework in the field of economic security. In addition, a target of 10 trillion yen (about 67 billion U.S. dollars) in private investment in India over the next 10 years is planned. Modi will visit Japan for two days and hold a summit meeting with Ishiba in Tokyo.

During the talks, it is expected that both sides will agree on the establishment of a new framework called "Economic Security Initiative" to strengthen cooperation in fields such as semiconductors, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and pharmaceuticals. Regarding the security field, both sides are discussing amending the 2008 "Japan-India Security Joint Declaration" and considering including specific steps for defense cooperation in the revised declaration.

Both sides also plan to set goals for expanding talent exchange, attracting Indian professionals to Japan, and confirming the introduction of Japan's latest Shinkansen trains for the construction of the Indian high-speed railway.

In addition, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that, at the invitation of President Xi, Modi will visit Tianjin from August 31 to September 1 to attend the SCO Tianjin Summit. During the summit, Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings with several leaders attending the summit. It is reported that India has been a member of the SCO since 2017 and served as the rotating chair of the SCO from 2022 to 2023.

Notably, on Friday, India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh announced via social media platform X that India has decided to cooperate with France according to a government-to-government agreement to jointly design and manufacture a new 120 kN engine for India's "Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft" (AMCA), which is scheduled to be developed by 2035. The "Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft" is India's fifth-generation fighter project.

Rajnath Singh wrote: "Today, we have taken a step forward in manufacturing fifth-generation fighters. We have also started manufacturing aircraft engines in India. We will collaborate with Safran of France to start engine manufacturing work in India." Previously, according to Indian officials, Modi and French President Macron discussed efforts to achieve peace agreements in Ukraine and the Middle East via phone on Thursday.

Modi wrote on X: "Reaffirm our commitment to further strengthen the India-France strategic partnership."

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841203097528329/

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