Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi received a grand ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday as India hosted the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit. The visit marks her first official trip to India since taking office and aims to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
PM Modi welcomes Japanese Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Prime Minister Takaichi at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Japanese leader received a traditional Guard of Honour during the official ceremony. Afterward, both leaders introduced members of their ministerial delegations before leaving for Hyderabad House to begin the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit.
Takaichi begins her first India visit as Prime Minister
Prime Minister Takaichi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday evening for her first three-day official visit to India since taking office. Minister of State Jitendra Singh received her at the airport on behalf of the Indian government.
The visit is expected to strengthen cooperation in trade, technology, defence and regional security.
Modi stresses stronger India-Japan ties
Before the summit, Prime Minister Modi shared a message on X. He said he was pleased to host the Japanese Prime Minister. He added that he looked forward to discussions that would “further strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership while advancing peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific."
A very warm welcome to India, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 1, 2026
We are delighted to host you on your first visit to India and I look forward to our wide-ranging discussions tomorrow that will further deepen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Through our… https://t.co/TL9j03D8ed
The Japanese Cabinet Public Relations Office also thanked India for the warm welcome. It posted: “Our heartfelt thanks for your warm welcome. We are very much excited to be visiting India!”
Japan plans major investment in India
The annual summit remains the top platform for expanding India-Japan relations. According to Japanese media reports, private Japanese companies plan to invest nearly $12.5 billion in India. The investment will support around 120 cooperation agreements linked to the summit. The move is expected to boost investment, manufacturing and economic growth.
Leaders to discuss key strategic sectors
Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Takaichi will focus on several strategic areas during their talks. They will discuss stronger supply chains in semiconductors, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals and artificial intelligence (AI).
The leaders will also review defence cooperation. They are expected to discuss more joint military exercises and stronger collaboration under the Quad to support a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
Focus on bullet train and trade
The two Prime Ministers will also review the progress of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. They are expected to discuss a Rupee-Yen settlement framework to make bilateral trade faster and more efficient.
MoUs and business forum to follow
After the bilateral talks, both leaders will witness the signing and exchange of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). They will then issue joint press statements.
Later, Prime Minister Takaichi will address the India-Japan Business Forum at Taj Palace, where business leaders from both countries will discuss new investment opportunities. She will conclude her three-day visit and return to Tokyo on Friday morning after completing her official engagements.