Takaichi’s visit heralds a new India-Japan era

Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Sanae Takaichi’s visit to India for the 16th India-Japan Bilateral Summit on July 1-3 took place at a consequential moment.

- Sujan Chinoy

While this was Takaichi’s first official visit to India and her first appearance at the Summit, PM Narendra Modi has featured in nine of the 16 held since 2006.

Many of the outcomes bear Modi’s personal imprimatur, with corresponding commitments from his Japanese counterparts, both during the term of the late PM Shinzo Abe — who had a personal friendship with PM Modi — as well as those of his successors playing an equally important role.

Today, a broad consensus in the political and economic firmament in Japan for deeper ties with India is echoed by a similar sentiment in India too.

Takaichi’s visit took place against the backdrop of prolonged conflicts and uncertainty over critical supply chains, including energy. The summit was more than mere diplomatic symbolism. It provided an opportunity to reposition one of Asia’s most important strategic partnerships amidst rapid flux across the Indo-Pacific.

The outcomes of the summit bear the stamp of both continuity and change. Takaichi’s visit has given fresh impetus to the Joint Vision for the Next Decade, adopted during Modi’s visit to Tokyo in August 2025.

The outcomes clearly operationalise several key pillars of the Joint Vision, among which are the Economic Security Initiative, the India-Japan AI Initiative, the Next Generation Mobility Partnership, the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, and the first defence co-development project.