Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the airport, in New Delhi
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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in India on Wednesday for a three-day visit, with economic security, energy security and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, expected to top the agenda at her bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, according to sources.The meeting between the two leaders is expected to lay out concrete initiatives to strengthen the India-Japan strategic partnership as both countries seek to reinforce cooperation in the Indo-Pacific amid continuing concerns over the West Asia crisis and its impact on energy markets and supply chains, increasing strategic competition with China in the Indo-Pacific, and uncertainties arising from changing US trade, technology and security policies, a source told businessline.“New Delhi and Tokyo are expected to focus on building resilient supply chains, work towards reducing vulnerabilities in critical sectors, strengthening economic and energy security, and take initiatives for expanding collaboration in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors,” the source added.Key partnerThe visit is aimed at further strengthening ties with India, which Japan considers a key partner in realising its vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. According to Japanese government, the two leaders will review progress under the Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade, unveiled during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Japan in August last year, and chart the next phase of cooperation.Discussions are expected to cover ways to enhance collaboration in economic security, including energy, while also promoting economic growth through increased investment, technology partnerships and innovation.One of the key outcomes expected from the visit is the launch of a bilateral framework to promote vehicles powered by biogas, an area that both governments see as offering environmental and energy security benefits, an industry source said. The initiative is expected to support India’s clean mobility ambitions while creating new opportunities for Japanese companies in the country’s fast-growing automotive and renewable energy sectors.As part of the framework, the two governments are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding to encourage the production and use of biogas-derived compressed natural gas for automobiles.Beyond the energy partnership, officials said both sides are also expected to review cooperation across strategic sectors, including advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and artificial intelligence, as New Delhi and Tokyo look to broaden their partnership into emerging areas critical to long-term economic competitiveness and regional resilience.Published on July 1, 2026
