Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening India’s ties with Japan across economic, strategic and technological sectors. Union Minister Jitendra Singh received her at the airport.
Takaichi will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday before participating in the Japan-India Joint Economic Forum. More than 100 Japanese business leaders, including several chief executive officers, are expected to attend the forum.
10:00 AM: Ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan
11:30 AM: Delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House
1:10 PM: Exchange of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), followed by joint press statements at Hyderabad House
The visit marks the first bilateral summit between PM Modi and Takaichi since she assumed office last year. Economic security is expected to dominate the discussions, with both countries likely to focus on making supply chains more resilient in sectors such as semiconductors and critical minerals.
The leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and global developments, including the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, as well as the evolving situation in the Indo-Pacific. Japan has repeatedly described India as an indispensable partner in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law.
Artificial Intelligence is expected to be one of the key areas of discussion during the visit, with India and Japan likely to issue a separate joint statement on AI cooperation. The partnership is expected to focus on research and development, industrial applications of AI, digital public infrastructure, skill development, and the responsible use and governance of emerging technologies.
The leaders are also expected to discuss cooperation in semiconductors, advanced battery technology, pharmaceuticals, biogas, oil and gas production, and advanced manufacturing as both countries seek to strengthen collaboration in high-tech and strategic industries.
In the clean energy sector, Japan is expected to support India’s plans to establish a large green ammonia plant, which could help reduce emissions in the shipping and fertiliser industries while strengthening long-term energy security.
Strategic minerals are also likely to be a key area of cooperation. India and Japan have been working to diversify supply chains for minerals used in electric vehicles, batteries and renewable energy technologies, with fresh agreements on exploration, processing and supply resilience expected during the visit.
The two countries are also expected to review progress in defence and maritime cooperation. Discussions are likely to include defence equipment and technology collaboration, the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision, and the MAHASAGAR (Maritime Heads for Active Security And Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
Another focus area will be the Next Generation Mobility Partnership, under which India and Japan are working together on electric vehicles, hydrogen mobility and intelligent transport systems.
On the commercial front, around 120 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Indian and Japanese companies are expected to be signed across manufacturing, infrastructure, clean energy and innovation.
The proposed agreements build on Japan’s commitment, announced during PM Modi’s visit to Tokyo in August 2025, to invest JPY 10 trillion (around $67 billion) in India. The revised commitment doubled the earlier investment target after it had already been achieved.
India and Japan have maintained a Special Strategic and Global Partnership for decades, covering trade, investment, defence, infrastructure, digital technologies, high-speed rail, clean energy and people-to-people exchanges.
Japan has provided development assistance to India since 1958 and has committed more than JPY 8.5 trillion for projects including metro systems, freight corridors, highways and urban infrastructure. Around 100 Japanese-funded infrastructure projects are currently under implementation across the country.
Bilateral trade stood at $27.47 billion in 2025-26, while Japan has invested nearly $45 billion in India, making it the country’s fifth-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI). More than 1,400 Japanese companies operate through about 5,200 business establishments in India, with manufacturing accounting for nearly half of them.
Surveys also indicate continued confidence among Japanese businesses, with India emerging as their top overseas investment destination for the fourth consecutive year. More than 81 per cent of Japanese firms operating in India have expressed plans to expand their investments.
The visit is also expected to pave the way for greater cooperation in pharmaceuticals, advanced healthcare technologies, quantum technologies and advanced materials through new joint research programmes.
Both countries are expected to deepen academic exchanges and regional partnerships as they prepare to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
This year’s summit is expected to go beyond routine annual engagements by laying the foundation for the next phase of India-Japan ties. A proposed Joint Declaration on Economic Security, if finalised, could become one of the most significant outcomes in the history of bilateral relations.
Source: News18