Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a three-day trip focused on strengthening India-Japan strategic ties. The visit is part of the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit and comes amid growing cooperation in trade, technology and regional security.
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Arrives In India
Calling it her first visit to India as Prime Minister, Takaichi expressed enthusiasm about the trip and the agenda ahead. In a post on X, she said the discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will focus on economic security, energy security and expanding bilateral cooperation in line with the changing global situation. “I have arrived in Delhi, the capital of India. As Prime Minister of Japan, this will be my first visit to India in about three years, and personally, my very first time visiting the country,” she wrote.
“In discussions with Prime Minister Modi, centering on urgent issues including economic security and energy security, we will aim to deepen the strategic cooperative relationship between Japan and India in light of the current international situation, promote mutually complementary cooperation, and further strengthen the Japan-India Special Strategic Global Partnership,” Takaichi added.
PM Modi also welcomed Takaichi in a post on X and said he looks forward to exchanging views across a wide range of fields to deepen the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
What Are The Key Agendas?
The meeting between the two leaders is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors, including economic security, energy, technology, and innovation. India and Japan are expected to issue a joint statement and sign agreements on AI, critical minerals, energy resilience, and industrial collaboration.
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A key focus will also be on advancing a local currency settlement framework to enable direct yen-rupee trade. This, if agreed upon, will reduce dependence on the US dollar and make cross-border transactions more efficient. Japan is also expected to deepen investment commitments in India, including its long-term target of 10 trillion-yen investment over the coming decade.
According to reports, a delegation of around 50 Japanese business leaders from companies such as Suzuki Motor, Itochu Corporation, and Toyota Tsusho is accompanying the PM.
Why Northeast India Is Crucial For Tokyo?
Additionally, Japan’s growing focus on Northeast India is considered a central pillar of its Indo-Pacific strategy. For Japan, it is not just a border region but a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia. It also plays a key role in linking India’s Act East Policy with Japan’s Indo-Pacific vision.
During earlier strategic dialogues, both sides agreed to expand connectivity, infrastructure development and regional cooperation in the Northeast. In this regard, Japan is already investing in infrastructure, skill development and industrial projects in the region. This also includes semiconductor collaboration in Assam and industrial townships aimed at boosting manufacturing and exports.
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