Japanese PM Ishiba to Visit India in July; QUAD Summit Expected Within the Year

(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 4th) Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to visit India in July for a summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders are scheduled to exchange views on issues such as stable energy supply amid the escalating situation in Iran, the resilience of critical mineral supply chains, and are also expected to discuss the timing of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) leaders' summit involving Japan, the US, Australia, and India.

According to reports from the Sankei Shimbun and TBS, Japanese government sources revealed today that Ishiba has begun coordination for a visit to India in July. The two sides are expected to further discuss deepening cooperation in economic and economic security fields based on the "Common Vision," a 10-year cooperation guideline jointly announced by India and Japan when Modi visited Japan in August 2024. Modi's meeting at that time was with former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Regarding the Middle East situation, with the situation in Iran remaining a focus, Japan and India will exchange views on stable energy supply and discuss how to strengthen the resilience of supply chains for strategic materials such as critical minerals to mitigate the impact of geopolitical risks.

Furthermore, the Japan-India summit may also touch upon the future development of the QUAD cooperation mechanism. Comprising Japan, the US, Australia, and India, QUAD is seen as an important strategic cooperation platform in the Indo-Pacific region. Japan has in recent years placed increasing importance on cooperation with countries that share values such as democracy and the rule of law, in response to China's expanding military and regional influence.

The QUAD leaders' summit has not been held since 2024. It is believed that US President Donald Trump's reserved attitude towards multilateral consultation mechanisms is one reason for the delay. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on the 3rd before the House Foreign Affairs Committee that各方 are coordinating towards holding a QUAD leaders' summit within this year.

Rubio pointed out, "QUAD is an important cooperation framework in the Indo-Pacific region. In addition to the (foreign ministers') meeting held in India last week, follow-up meetings will be held in the second half of this year, and a leaders' summit is expected to be held within the year."

The report indicates that Ishiba's visit to India, in addition to deepening bilateral cooperation, may also serve as a preliminary coordination effort to promote the QUAD leaders' summit. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150604