Japanese PM Takaichi Arrives in Delhi for India-Japan Annual Summit
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a three-day official visit to India, marking her first trip to the country since assuming office. She was received at the airport by Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.
The visit, scheduled from July 1 to 3, is for the 16th India-Japan annual summit. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the summit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review and strengthen bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, defence, and other key sectors, as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to Ms. Takaichi on social media, stating, 'We are delighted to host you on your first visit to India, and I look forward to our wide-ranging discussions tomorrow that will further deepen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Through our joint efforts, we will continue to advance peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.'
Ms. Takaichi also posted on X photos of her arrival, expressing her anticipation for the summit.
The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the visit as an important step in advancing the bilateral relationship, which was elevated to a 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership' in 2014. The two nations have since deepened cooperation in infrastructure, technology, defence, and maritime security.
According to a media advisory, Ms. Takaichi is scheduled to meet Mr. Modi at Hyderabad House on Thursday for official talks. The summit is expected to produce agreements in several areas, including clean energy, digital transformation, and connectivity projects.
India and Japan share a long history of diplomatic relations, with Japan being a key partner in India's economic development through official development assistance (ODA) and private investment. The annual summit mechanism, established in 2006, has been instrumental in driving the partnership forward.
The visit also comes amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, where both countries are members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) along with the United States and Australia. The leaders are likely to discuss regional security issues, including maritime security and response to global challenges.
