India Sets Sights on East Asia for Next Diplomatic Push

Speedy Summary

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to Japan by the end of August for discussions with Japanese Prime Minister shigeru Ishiba.
• The visit holds significance as both India and japan are key members of the quad initiative, alongside Australia and the U.S., which started in 2017.
• discussions between PM Modi and PM Ishiba will focus on the future direction of the Quad amid shifting U.S. trade priorities that may impact India-U.S. cooperation.
• During this period, China’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit is also scheduled to take place from August 31 to September 1.
• While global attention is on the SCO meeting, there is no confirmation about Mr. Modi’s attendance, even though he has visited China earlier. Bilateral relations with China remain strained since clashes at Galwan in 2020.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Prime Minister Modi’s outreach to Japan underscores India’s strategic emphasis on strengthening ties within East Asia at a time when uncertainties loom over India-U.S. relations due to altering American trade strategies. This move reinforces India’s intent within regional groupings like the Quad that prioritize Indo-Pacific security cooperation.

Concurrently, India’s hesitancy over potential participation in China’s SCO summit reflects delicate diplomatic balancing given unresolved tensions post-Galwan clashes in Ladakh. these developments highlight India’s increasingly nuanced approach toward maintaining stability across multiple platforms amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.

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