Japanese PM Takaichi to visit India on July 1, focus on Indo-Pacific, tech and energy ties

Ms. Takaichi’s visit marks the 20th annual summit since India and Japan began meeting regularly at the highest levels and is expected to set the course for ties over the next decade.

Updated - June 30, 2026 11:11 pm IST - NEW DELHI By Kallol Bhattacherjee

India and Japan are expected to focus on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, as well as new projects on critical and emerging technologies, as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives in Delhi on Wednesday (July 1, 2026) evening for a short visit.

The visit, which marks the 20th annual summit since India and Japan began regular high-level meetings, is expected to set the course for bilateral ties over the next decade, particularly against the backdrop of conflict in the Persian Gulf region.

"India is an indispensable partner in advancing the updated Free and Open Indo Pacific put forward by Prime Minister Takaichi. It is important that Japan and India jointly promote the maintenance and strengthening of a free and open international order based on the rule of law," diplomatic sources said.

Sources indicated that the two sides will announce:

• A joint declaration on economic security cooperation
• A joint declaration on maritime security
• A joint statement on cooperation in the field of AI

Revised Indo-Pacific Policy

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi will discuss the new version of Japan’s Indo-Pacific Policy, which she unveiled in May this year during a visit to Vietnam.

• The previous policy, announced by former Japanese PM Fumio Kishida during a visit to Delhi in 2023, focused on cooperation with India and Bangladesh through the Bay of Bengal.
• The latest version is more focused on Japan’s policy in the Western Pacific, where tensions with China have been growing since last November.

Schedule and Logistics

Ms. Takaichi’s engagements will take place on Thursday (July 2, 2026) before she departs for Tokyo on Friday (July 3, 2026) morning.

• She was earlier scheduled to visit Guwahati, where the summit meeting with Prime Minister Modi was planned, but those plans were cancelled just days before the visit.

Defence and Energy Cooperation

In recent months, Japan and India have ramped up cooperation against the backdrop of instability in the Gulf. The Indian navy refueled the JMSDF ships Kashima and Shimakaze in May in the Arabian Sea, and sources said more such engagements are expected.

The two sides are also expected to sign an agreement on energy resilience, aimed at avoiding future situations like the oil crisis faced by many countries after the blockade in the Hormuz Straits. Discussions have focused on diversifying sources of energy and building energy reserves.

Welcome Ceremony and MoUs

Prime Minister Takaichi will arrive on Wednesday (July 1, 2026) evening. In a special gesture for a Head of Government (not State), she will be welcomed at the Forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday (July 2, 2026) morning.

The two sides are finalising details on about ten MoUs, which they hope to complete and announce after talks between Ms. Takaichi and Mr. Modi at Hyderabad House.

Key areas of discussion include:

• Energy resilience (MoU)
• Biogas
• Upstream development of oil and gas
• Exploration of critical minerals
• Batteries
• Artificial Intelligence
• Pharmaceuticals

Business Engagement

Ms. Takaichi will also address a business meeting during her stay in New Delhi, where more than 100 Japanese businesspersons are expected. Several MoUs are expected to be signed.

The Hindu was told that the visiting Japanese leader will take up the Green Ammonia Project in Orissa, which has come up with Japanese assistance.

An important element of the visit will be the discussion on the Next Gen Mobility Partnership, part of India’s mobility-centric outreach with key economic partners.

Published - June 30, 2026 11:13 pm IST