New Delhi: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a three-day official visit, during which she will hold summit-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and participate in the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit.
The visit is expected to strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, with discussions set to focus on economic security, resilient supply chains, critical technologies, defence cooperation and investment.
Welcoming the Japanese leader, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the visit marked another important milestone in deepening bilateral ties.
“A very warm welcome to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan, who arrives in New Delhi on an official visit. PM Takaichi was received by Minister of State Jitendra Singh,” Jaiswal said in a post on X.
“The visit marks an important step in taking forward the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan,” he added.
Summit Talks with PM Modi
Prime Minister Modi and Takaichi are expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation while exchanging views on key regional and global developments.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the summit will focus on expanding economic engagement, strengthening strategic coordination and enhancing collaboration in emerging technologies as both countries seek to build more resilient supply chains amid an increasingly uncertain global economic environment.
Diplomatic sources told ANI that investment, innovation and economic security will be among the central themes of the discussions, with particular emphasis on semiconductors, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing.
Both sides are also expected to explore ways to diversify supply chains and deepen industrial cooperation in sectors considered strategically vital.
Defence, Maritime Security and Regional Connectivity
Defence cooperation and maritime security are expected to feature prominently in the discussions as India and Japan continue to strengthen their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific.
Officials are also expected to discuss plans for developing an Industrial Value Chain linking the Bay of Bengal with India’s Northeast, an initiative aimed at integrating regional connectivity, infrastructure development and manufacturing.
The project reflects the growing emphasis both countries are placing on building resilient supply networks amid rising geopolitical competition and concerns over disruptions to global trade.
Agreements Expected Across Key Sectors
The summit is likely to conclude with a Joint Statement reaffirming the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Several agreements and memoranda of understanding are also expected to be signed in sectors including:
- Artificial intelligence
- Semiconductors
- Pharmaceuticals
- Advanced batteries
- Critical minerals
- Energy resilience
India-Japan Business Forum
During her visit, Takaichi will also participate in the India-Japan Business Forum, where she is expected to engage with business leaders to promote greater investment and commercial cooperation.
According to sources, proposals under discussion include collaboration on artificial intelligence, a large-scale green ammonia project in Odisha, expanded cooperation in the biogas sector and initiatives under POWERR Asia aimed at strengthening regional resilience.
‘India’s Importance Is Increasing’
Ahead of her departure from Tokyo, Takaichi highlighted the growing importance of India in Japan’s foreign and strategic policy.
“Amid growing uncertainty in the international situation, the importance of collaboration with India, which shares fundamental values and strategic interests, is only increasing,” she said during an informal press conference before leaving for New Delhi.
Her visit comes at a time when both countries are seeking to deepen cooperation in critical technologies, supply chain resilience and Indo-Pacific security amid an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
