New Delhi, July 2: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, on a three-day visit to India, held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. Both leaders addressed a joint press conference, detailing the discussions. During the meeting, PM Modi referred to Takaichi as a visionary and popular leader, highlighting serious and meaningful discussions on defense and modern technology.
Welcoming Takaichi, PM Modi stated, “You are Japan’s first female Prime Minister and a visionary leader. Additionally, you hail from Nara Prefecture, a significant center of our shared Buddhist heritage.”
He also mentioned the strengthening ties between the two nations during the G7 Summit, noting that just days ago, he emphasized that mutual trust is our greatest strategic asset amid today’s global turmoil. “I take pride in the fact that the India-Japan partnership fully meets this criterion. Over the decades, from automotive to electronics, Japan has become an invaluable partner in India’s growth story, building a friendship rooted in trust. With PM Takaichi’s visit, we are embarking on a new chapter in our special strategic and global partnership.”
Regarding the robust economies of both nations, he added, “Today, both India and Japan are among the world’s largest economies. A free, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific is our shared priority. As the largest democratic and market economy in the region, we have initiated several significant initiatives to pave the way for peace, stability, and progress across the region.”
PM Modi further discussed the AI ecosystem and vision realization. “PM Takaichi and I believe that technology partnership will be the strongest pillar of our cooperation. To realize this vision, we have issued a joint statement in the field of AI today. Several key institutions in the Indian AI ecosystem have also signed agreements with their Japanese partners. The fusion of Japan’s precision technology and India’s software capabilities will accelerate global AI development.”
He also highlighted a defense agreement, stating, “Today, we have signed an agreement on the first co-development project between India and Japan in the defense sector. This naval radio antenna project will open a new chapter in our defense technology partnership. Together, we will develop defense technologies that will strengthen regional peace, maritime security, and a rules-based order.”
PM Modi mentioned agreements in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biotech, stating, “These agreements will contribute to global health security. By combining India’s scale with Japan’s quality, we will work to deliver affordable, reliable, and advanced healthcare services worldwide.”
On the strengthening ties between the two countries, he remarked, “The India-Japan investment partnership is continuously strengthening. In the past year, over 100 new business agreements have been made, resulting in more than $10 billion in Japanese investments in India. Today’s agreements between financial service agencies will facilitate capital and investment flow.”
In the joint press conference, he added, “Our goal is clear—within the next ten years, we aim to attract 10 trillion yen in investments from Japan and double the number of Japanese companies in India. Continuous reforms in India have improved the ease of doing business; Japanese companies can also benefit from this. In today’s uncertain times, both India and Japan understand the importance of economic and energy security. Today, we have prepared a joint roadmap for economic security, which will strengthen semiconductors, quantum technology, advanced materials, and supply chains.”
Both nations have committed to advancing energy security. Expanding on this, PM Modi stated, “Today, we have made several important decisions in the field of energy security. Under the India-Japan biogas initiative, 1,000 biogas and organic fertilizer plants will be established in the country, further strengthening our Go-Vardhan initiative. This will empower sustainability, prosperity, and rural livelihoods in India’s villages. Additionally, we have taken significant steps to enhance energy resilience to address situations like oil crises. Our collaboration in battery technology, green hydrogen, and nuclear energy will play a crucial role in shaping the future of clean energy globally.”
PM Modi continued, “India and Japan view economic security as shared security and energy transition as a shared opportunity, and we will work towards advancing this. Today, we have also established the India-Japan Next Generation Mobility Partnership Framework, which will allow us to replicate our success in the automotive sector in shipbuilding, aviation, and logistics.”
Highlighting the strong bond of bilateral relations, PM Modi stated, “The great strength of our relationship lies in our people-to-people connections. We are enhancing opportunities for talent mobility, skilling, and technical internship programs. We are also strengthening research, education, and startup collaborations between our nations. We are excited to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations next year. On this significant occasion, we will enhance our mutual connection through tourism and creative economic cooperation.”
Concluding his address, PM Modi emphasized, “The economies of India and Japan complement each other. From cultural values to modern technology, we share similarities in our thinking and approach. Most importantly, the foundation of our relationship is built on unwavering mutual trust. I am confident that our special partnership will contribute to your vision of a strong and prosperous Japan.”
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