New Delhi, India | July 2, 2026

PM Modi Welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as India and Japan Hold 16th Annual Summit

India-Japan Annual Summit officially commenced in New Delhi on Thursday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi with a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking the start of a high-level visit aimed at deepening the two nations’ Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

The formal welcome ceremony underscored the importance both countries place on strengthening bilateral ties at a time of evolving geopolitical and economic challenges across the Indo-Pacific region. Following the reception, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Takaichi were scheduled to hold the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, where they are expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation while discussing regional and global developments of mutual interest.

The summit comes as India and Japan continue expanding collaboration in areas including economic security, technology, investment, defense cooperation, resilient supply chains, and Indo-Pacific stability.

Japan PM Sanae Takaichi to Visit India for 16th India-Japan Summit, Focus on Trade, Security and Indo-Pacific Cooperation

Ceremonial Welcome Marks Beginning of High-Level Talks

Prime Minister Takaichi received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan shortly after arriving in the Indian capital for her official visit.

Prime Minister Modi personally welcomed his Japanese counterpart before the two leaders proceeded to their official engagements.

The visit represents one of the most significant bilateral diplomatic engagements between India and Japan this year and reflects the continued momentum in relations between Asia’s two major democracies.

MEA Highlights Strategic Importance of the Visit

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed the Japanese Prime Minister through a post on X, describing the visit as an important milestone for advancing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

According to the ministry, Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh received Prime Minister Takaichi upon her arrival in New Delhi.

The ministry said the visit would further strengthen cooperation across strategic, economic, technological, and people-to-people sectors while reinforcing the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

Leaders Expected to Review Entire Bilateral Agenda

During the summit meeting, Prime Ministers Modi and Takaichi are expected to undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation.

Key areas expected to feature prominently during the discussions include:

• Strategic and security cooperation
• Economic security
• Trade and investment
• Semiconductor and advanced technology collaboration
• Supply chain resilience
• Digital innovation
• Infrastructure development
• Clean energy partnerships
• Human resource mobility
• Defense and maritime security
• Indo-Pacific cooperation

The leaders are also expected to exchange views on major regional and global developments affecting the Indo-Pacific and broader international community.

India–Japan Strategic Reset: PM Modi and Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Pledge a New Era of Partnership

Japan Sees Visit as Opportunity to Strengthen People-to-People Ties

Earlier in the day, Japanese Ambassador to India Keiichi Ono described Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit as an important opportunity to expand people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Speaking during the Japan Session of the Human Resource Mobility Forum, hosted by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Ambassador Ono emphasized that stronger human connections remain the foundation of the strategic partnership.

In a post on X, the ambassador said the visit would provide an excellent opportunity to deepen exchanges between citizens of both nations while reinforcing their broad strategic relationship.

Human Resource Mobility Emerges as Key Area of Cooperation

The Human Resource Mobility Forum highlighted growing opportunities for cooperation in workforce mobility, skills development, education, and professional exchanges.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, discussions focused on expanding pathways that enable greater collaboration in skill-based mobility and talent development.

As India’s skilled workforce continues to grow and Japan addresses demographic and labor market challenges, both governments see human resource cooperation as an increasingly important pillar of bilateral relations.

Officials also discussed initiatives aimed at facilitating professional exchanges and creating new opportunities for skilled Indian workers in Japan.

Takaichi Outlines Three Major Priorities Before Departure

Before departing Tokyo for New Delhi, Prime Minister Takaichi outlined three major objectives for her visit during remarks to the media.

She said she hopes to advance concrete cooperation with Prime Minister Modi in three priority areas:

• Deepening the Japan-India Strategic Partnership in light of current international developments.
• Strengthening cooperation on economic security.
• Expanding business collaboration through increased investment and innovation.

Takaichi said the visit reflects the growing importance of India in Japan’s long-term foreign and economic policy.

Japan’s PM Takaichi and Trump Discuss China Tensions and Taiwan After Xi Call

Business Cooperation Takes Center Stage

Prime Minister Takaichi also highlighted the Japan-India Joint Economic Forum, scheduled alongside her official visit.

According to the Japanese leader, the forum will bring together representatives from more than 150 Japanese companies and business organizations, underscoring the expanding commercial relationship between the two countries.

She expressed hope that closer cooperation between governments and the private sector would broaden the scope of bilateral economic engagement while contributing to sustainable economic growth.

Business leaders are expected to discuss investment opportunities across manufacturing, advanced technologies, clean energy, digital infrastructure, and innovation-driven industries.

Piyush Goyal Meets JIBCC Chief Tatsuo Yasunaga to Strengthen India-Japan Trade Ties

Shared Vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific

Regional security is expected to remain a central focus of the summit.

Prime Minister Takaichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to working closely with India to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific.

She said she looks forward to discussing efforts to advance the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) with Prime Minister Modi.

India and Japan have consistently supported a rules-based international order, freedom of navigation, resilient supply chains, and enhanced regional connectivity.

Both countries are also key members of the Quad, alongside the United States and Australia, with cooperation spanning maritime security, emerging technologies, infrastructure, climate initiatives, and disaster resilience.

India-Japan Partnership Continues to Expand

Over the past decade, India and Japan have significantly expanded cooperation across strategic, economic, technological, and defense sectors.

Japan remains one of India’s largest foreign investors and development partners, contributing to major infrastructure projects, including high-speed rail, metro systems, industrial corridors, and smart city initiatives.

The relationship has also grown stronger in areas such as semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, critical minerals, clean energy, and digital transformation.

As both countries navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, the annual summit serves as an important platform for aligning strategic priorities and advancing practical cooperation.

Key Takeaways

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
• The leaders are holding the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit to review bilateral cooperation.
• Discussions are expected to focus on economic security, investment, technology, supply chains, defense, and the Indo-Pacific.
• More than 150 Japanese companies are participating in the Japan-India Joint Economic Forum during the visit.
• Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Special Strategic and Global Partnership.