New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as one of the most popular global leaders. Not least because of his ability to strike one-on-one relationships and charm heads of government.
Japan’s visiting Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi felt that warmth in Delhi on Thursday.
Addressing a joint press conference after holding bilateral talks at the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, Modi addressed his counterpart as, “Your Excellency, my younger sister, Prime Minister Takaichi ji.”
Modi welcomed Takaichi on her first visit to India, pointing out that she is the “first woman Prime Minister of Japan and a visionary and popular leader.” Takaichi nodded with a smile.
Later, Takaichi thanked the Indian PM for calling her his “younger sister”, and said that the bond reflected the understanding the two leaders had reached during their one-on-one discussions.
Modi said Takaichi’s visit marked the beginning of a “new chapter” in bilateral ties.
#WATCH | Delhi: During press statement with Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “Excellency and my younger sister, Prime Minister Takaichi, delegates from both nations, and members of the media—Namaskar. It gives me great pleasure to welcome Prime… pic.twitter.com/O78kLVnptK
— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2026
“Our shared priorities are a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific. Our technology partnership has become an important pillar of our relationship,” Modi said.
The two countries announced a landmark defence co-development agreement, the first such pact between India and Japan, and also measures to expand cooperation in economic security, strategic technologies, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals and clean energy.
Remarking that Japan had played an important role in India’s growth story, the Indian PM said the two countries are now among the world’s five largest economies, and will work together to promote peace, stability and a rules-based regional order.
The two Prime Ministers held delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House in the presence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and senior officials from both sides.
Takaichi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan before the summit.
Takaichi is on a three-day official visit to India from at Modi’s invitation.
