Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering a visit to India in early July to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The talks will focus on strengthening supply chains of critical goods amid concerns over China's economic coercion, as well as expanding cooperation in defence, economic affairs, and advanced technologies including semiconductors and artificial intelligence [1, 2].
The two leaders are also expected to discuss India’s high-speed railway project connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad, which incorporates Japanese bullet train technology [1, 2]. This visit is part of the reciprocal visits tradition between Japan and India leaders to bolster their growing partnership [1, 2].
Japan-China relations have been tense since November 2023, when Takaichi made parliamentary remarks suggesting Japan might deploy defence forces to support the US if China attacked Taiwan, contributing to diplomatic strains [1, 2]. Meanwhile, India, despite a longstanding territorial dispute with China in the Himalayas, has recently been working to improve ties due to strong economic links and tensions caused by US trade policies implemented under former President Trump [1, 2].
Other anticipated agenda items for the summit include the early de-escalation of the Middle East conflict, which erupted in late February 2023 involving the US, Israel, and Iran, and Quad cooperation among Japan, India, the US, and Australia [1].
The Indo-Pacific "free and open" initiative, originally proposed by the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2016 and championed by Takaichi as his political mentor, also plays a background role in Japan-India relations, with India seen as a key partner [1].
The visit is planned for early July 2023 and is expected to reaffirm and deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations [1, 2].
