'India, China ties are crucial for positive impact on regional peace': PM Modi

PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Japan to strengthen bilateral ties between Delhi and Tokyo.

He will then travel to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a regional bloc that also includes Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus.

"At the invitation of (Chinese) President Xi Jinping, I will travel to Tianjin from here to take part in the SCO summit. Since my meeting with President Xi in Kazan (in Russia, during an earlier SCO meet) last year, steady and positive progress has been made in our bilateral ties," he told Japanese media.

"Stable, predictable, and amicable bilateral relations between India and China, the two largest nations on Earth, can have a positive impact on regional and global peace and prosperity," he said, echoing remarks after meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Delhi this month.

"This is also crucial for a multi-polar Asia and world."

The summit comes as India navigates global economic and geopolitical turbulence over Russia's war on Ukraine, Israel's war on Gaza, and the United States' 50 percent tariff on Indian goods exported to that country.

Addressing the India-Japan Economic Forum in Tokyo, Modi, who arrived in Japan earlier in the day, said: "Japan has always been a key partner in India’s growth journey. Whether it’s metros, manufacturing, semiconductors, or start-ups, our partnership in every area reflects mutual trust."

"Japanese companies have invested more than $40 billion in India. In the last two years alone, there has been private investment of $13 billion. JBIC says India is the most 'promising' destination. JETRO says 80 percent of companies want to expand in India, and 75 percent are already profitable," he said.

"Which means, in India, capital does not just grow, it multiplies!" the PM said.