Our Bureau
New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House on Thursday. The talks marked another step in further strengthening the special partnership built on trust. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were also present alongside other officials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognised the technological partnership between India and Japan as the “strongest pillar” of the bilateral ties, affirming shared resolve to converge Japan’s precision technology with India’s software capabilities.
Addressing a press briefing after the signing of numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between India and Japan, PM Modi stated that the two nations have signed key agreements regarding cooperation in Artificial Intelligence. He expressed optimism that the shared committment and efforts by India and Japan towards technological partnership can boost global AI development.
“Prime Minister Takaichi and I believe that a technology partnership will become the strongest pillar of our cooperation. To realise this vision, we have also issued a joint statement today regarding the field of AI. Several key institutions within the Indian AI ecosystem have also signed agreements with their Japanese partners today. The convergence of Japan’s precision technology and India’s software capabilities will impart new momentum and strength to global AI development,” he said.
Further, regarding the agreement signed in the defence sector, PM Modi said that the first co-development project between India and Japan will help develop defence technologies as well as strengthen “maritime security and regional peace.”
“In the defence sector, we have signed an agreement today on the first co-development project between India and Japan. This project–involving the Naval Radio Antenna ‘Unicorn’ will open a new chapter in our defence technology partnership. We will now jointly develop defense technologies that strengthen regional peace, maritime security, and the rules-based order,” he stated.
Earlier, the Japanese PM Takaichi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X, “Further strengthening our special partnership. PM Sanae Takaichi of Japan was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. A partnership for the future, built on trust and rooted in shared values.”
During the reception at the forcecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, PM Modi introduced his cabinet colleagues and other dignitaries to the Japanese PM. Earlier, Japan expressed its excitement to visit India as Takaichi arrived in New Delhi.
In a post on X, the Japanese Cabinet Public Relations Officer said, “Our heartfelt thanks for your warm welcome. We are very much excited to be visiting India!”
In another post, it further reflected on the commencement of summit meeting between the two leaders following the Japanese PM’s ceremonial welcome.
“The welcome ceremony has just concluded, and Prime Minister Takaichi will hold a summit meeting with Prime Minister Modi afterward,” it wrote.
Takaichi is on a three-day official visit to India from July 1 to 3 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.
During the visit, she will participate in the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, which is expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the summit will provide an opportunity for both leaders to strengthen cooperation across strategic, economic, technological and security domains.
The visit is expected to focus on boosting investment and innovation, strengthening economic ties, and enhancing resilient supply chains in critical sectors such as semiconductors and critical minerals.
