India and Japan reaffirmed their long-standing strategic partnership on Thursday as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The visit underscored both nations’ commitment to expanding cooperation in defence, trade, technology and infrastructure at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister Takaichi received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan before meeting Prime Minister Modi. The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties, with a strong focus on boosting economic collaboration, enhancing supply chain resilience and accelerating investment between the two countries.
Defence and maritime security featured prominently during the discussions. India and Japan reiterated their shared vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as maritime security, defence technology and strategic coordination. Both countries also emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability and rules-based order in the region.
Economic cooperation remained another key priority. The leaders reviewed progress on major infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, widely known as the bullet train project. The project has regained momentum after earlier delays, with both governments reaffirming their commitment to ensuring its timely execution. They also explored opportunities to expand collaboration in semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, digital technologies and critical supply chains.
Trade and investment also received significant attention. Japan continues to be one of India’s largest investors, and both sides expressed confidence that stronger business partnerships would create new opportunities for companies and generate employment in both countries.
Speaking on the broader relationship, both leaders highlighted the growing trust between New Delhi and Tokyo, describing the partnership as an important pillar of regional stability. They agreed to continue working closely on global challenges, including economic security, resilient supply chains and emerging technologies.
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