New Delhi, 01 July (H.S.): Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a three-day official visit to participate in the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, marking her first visit to India since taking office. She was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Jitendra Singh.

Prime Minister Takaichi is visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders are scheduled to hold the annual summit on Thursday, during which they will review the entire spectrum of bilateral ties and exchange views on key regional and global developments.

The summit is expected to focus on strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, with discussions covering economic security, trade, investment, innovation, clean energy, resilient supply chains and the vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

Both countries are also expected to expand cooperation in critical sectors, including semiconductors, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, defence technology, digital infrastructure and connectivity. Several agreements are likely to be signed to enhance collaboration in these areas, while a delegation of Japanese business leaders accompanying the Prime Minister is expected to explore new investment opportunities in India.

India and Japan have significantly strengthened their partnership over the past decade through cooperation in defence, maritime security, infrastructure, technology, manufacturing and high-speed rail. The annual summit is expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral relations as both countries seek to enhance cooperation in response to evolving geopolitical and economic challenges across the Indo-Pacific region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar