Tokyo, 30 June (H.S.): Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will begin a three-day official visit to India on Wednesday, July 1, during which she is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Japanese government said the visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation to promote economic growth and deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

According to Japan Today, a senior Japanese government official said India and Japan are expected to issue a joint declaration on economic security during the visit. The statement is likely to include provisions on resisting economic coercion and strengthening cooperation in critical sectors.

The two countries are also expected to expand collaboration in five priority areas, including semiconductors, rare earth and other critical minerals, information and communication technology, clean energy, and medical supplies.

Announcing Prime Minister Takaichi's visit, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan aims to further strengthen its strategic partnership with India by enhancing cooperation in economic security, investment, and innovation. The visit marks Takaichi's first trip to India since assuming office in October last year.

Addressing a press conference, the Japanese government's chief spokesperson said stronger ties between Japan and India are essential for advancing the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The visit comes at a time when relations between Japan and China remain strained. In November last year, Takaichi told Japan's Parliament that the country's Self-Defense Forces could support the United States in the event of a conflict involving Taiwan, the self-governed island claimed by China.

India, meanwhile, continues to face a long-standing boundary dispute with China along the Himalayan frontier. At the same time, India has recently sought to stabilise its economic engagement with Beijing amid the impact of higher tariff policies introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar