Modi Welcomes Takaichi as India-Japan Talks Begin

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi received her during her first official visit to India.

The ceremonial reception featured marching contingents from the Army, Navy and Air Force, accompanied by a military band, highlighting the close and growing ties between the two nations. Prime Minister Modi stood alongside Takaichi on the ceremonial platform as the Guard of Honour was presented.

インドの首都・デリーに到着しました。
日本の総理として約３年ぶり、私個人としては初めてのインド訪問になります。… pic.twitter.com/F8PKt61SLn

— 高市早苗 (@takaichi_sanae) July 1, 2026

Prime Minister Takaichi is on a three-day visit to India from July 1 to 3 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi to participate in the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit.

Following the ceremony, the Japanese Prime Minister, accompanied by Modi, met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and several Union Cabinet ministers. Leaders exchanged warm greetings, with many welcoming each other with folded hands before posing for official photographs.

Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Takaichi are scheduled to hold bilateral talks at Hyderabad House. The discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, defence, technology, infrastructure, and regional security, while further strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Takaichi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday and expressed her enthusiasm for the visit on social media. Welcoming her, Prime Minister Modi said he looked forward to wide-ranging discussions that would deepen bilateral ties and advance peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region.

The Ministry of External Affairs described the visit as an important milestone in taking the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership to the next level.