India's newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Tokyo in August to meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, signaling closer bilateral ties infused by personal chemistry and shared values. The Namo-Shinzo show will be an elaborately choreographed red-carpet extravaganza to highlight the two leaders' warm bonds. After all, they are Twitter buddies, exchanged election congratulations and have met twice previously in 2007 and 2012.
This will be Modi's first significant overseas foray, demonstrating that personal bonds make a difference in establishing foreign policy priorities; Washington will have to wait until September. These leaders are ideological soul mates who are both unapologetically pro-business and support welfare for the wealthy, doling out incentives and tax cuts that would bring tears to the eyes of any corporate titan. They also are both ardent nationalists, embracing a more assertive and muscular foreign policy.
And lets not forget they share the same zodiac sign: Virgo.