Modi, Takaichi to hold 16th India-Japan Annual Summit with focus on strategic, economic and Indo-Pacific cooperation….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday as she began the key engagements of her three-day official visit to India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Takaichi at the ceremonial reception before the two leaders were scheduled to hold the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit later in the day.
The summit is expected to review the entire spectrum of bilateral ties and explore ways to further strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments, including issues concerning the Indo-Pacific.
Takaichi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday evening, marking her first official visit to India since assuming office.
Welcoming the visiting leader, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit represents another important milestone in advancing the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries.
“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 Dr Jitendra Singh. The visit marks an important step in taking forward the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan,” the MEA posted on X.
Ahead of her departure from Tokyo, Takaichi underlined the significance of closer cooperation with India in the evolving global geopolitical landscape.
She said she hoped to achieve tangible progress with Prime Minister Modi in three priority areas — strengthening the strategic partnership, expanding cooperation in economic security, and boosting business collaboration in investment and innovation.
Takaichi also highlighted the Japan-India Joint Economic Forum, to be held during her visit with participation from more than 150 Japanese companies and business organisations.
She expressed confidence that greater engagement between the private sectors of both countries would help broaden bilateral cooperation and contribute to stronger economic growth.
Emphasising the strategic dimension of the relationship, Takaichi said India and Japan, as two leading democracies in Asia, share responsibility for ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
She said she looked forward to discussions with Prime Minister Modi on advancing the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), including cooperation through the Quad framework.
Takaichi also expressed hope that the visit, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, would further strengthen the personal rapport between the two leaders.
