New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan's newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held their first telephone conversation on Wednesday, focusing on strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation, particularly in economic security, defense collaboration, and talent mobility.
During the 25-minute call, PM Modi congratulated Takaichi on assuming office as Japan's first female Prime Minister. He conveyed his best wishes and discussed their shared vision for advancing the India-Japan partnership. Modi emphasized that stronger India-Japan ties are vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity.
PM Modi shared key highlights of the call on social media platform X, stating, "Had a warm conversation with Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan. Congratulated her on assuming office and discussed our shared vision for advancing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, with focus on economic security, defence cooperation and talent mobility. We agreed that stronger India–Japan ties are vital for global peace, stability and prosperity".
Echoing this sentiment, Takaichi expressed her commitment to working with PM Modi to further promote the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership. She acknowledged the fundamental values and strategic interests shared by both nations, emphasizing Japan's intention to collaborate towards realizing a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," including through the Quad.
Takaichi also highlighted the Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade, presented during PM Modi's visit to Japan in August of this year. She affirmed that Japan would further advance cooperation with India in various fields, including security, economy, investment, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges. Takaichi conveyed her intention to work alongside PM Modi to usher in a new golden chapter in the Japan-India partnership.
The discussions also touched upon the significance of the Indo-Pacific region. Takaichi underscored the importance of working together in the Indo-Pacific, including through the Quad, amidst uncertainty over the next summit meeting of the grouping.
Experts suggest that Takaichi's election is likely to reinforce the convergence of interests between India and Japan, particularly concerning regional stability and China's growing maritime assertiveness. Both nations see national resurgence as central to their domestic legitimacy and foreign policy projection.
While Takaichi's focus on revitalizing domestic industries and protecting Japan's labor market may present challenges to economic cooperation, the institutional architecture of India-Japan relations remains strong. Mechanisms such as the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, the Special Strategic and Global Partnership, and the Act East Forum provide continuity and predictability.
The conversation between PM Modi and PM Takaichi signals a shared commitment to deepening the India-Japan partnership and addressing regional and global challenges. As strategic partners with converging interests, India and Japan are poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
