Forging a ‘Golden Chapter’: Japan’s New Leader Takaichi Reaches Out to Modi on Stronger Indo-Pacific Ties
NEW DELHI — Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi engaged in her inaugural phone discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, expressing optimism for a transformative era in bilateral relations.
The 25-minute call, conducted just seven days into Ms. Takaichi’s tenure, centered on bolstering collaboration within the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), advancing economic and defense partnerships, and facilitating greater professional exchanges, according to statements from both governments.
In a social media update following the conversation, Mr. Modi highlighted their mutual commitment to elevating the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. He emphasized priorities such as economic security, defense initiatives, and the seamless movement of skilled talent, signaling continuity with the pacts and projects established during his August trip to Japan. That visit involved talks with Ms. Takaichi’s predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, whose abrupt resignation paved the way for her leadership.
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From Tokyo, Ms. Takaichi’s office underscored the alignment of core principles and strategic goals between the two nations. “Japan is committed to partnering with India to uphold a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, leveraging frameworks like the Quad involving Japan, Australia, India, and the United States,” the office declared in an official release. It reaffirmed ongoing efforts in security, economic growth, investments, technological innovation, and cultural connections, building directly on the August agreements.
Responding to Mr. Modi’s post online, Ms. Takaichi voiced her aspiration to “open a new golden chapter in the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership” alongside him, framing the dialogue as a pivotal step forward.
Ms. Takaichi has swiftly prioritized regional diplomacy since assuming office. She represented Japan at last week’s ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur—a gathering Mr. Modi opted not to attend—and is set to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Gyeongju, South Korea, starting Thursday.
Queries about a potential encounter with Chinese President Xi Jinping, amid his anticipated summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, drew a measured reply from Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara. He noted that her itinerary remains in flux.
The Modi-Takaichi exchange occurred amid heightened regional dynamics, including Mr. Trump’s recent stopover in Japan. There, Ms. Takaichi reiterated Quad’s importance in her remarks, though specifics on rescheduling the long-delayed Quad leaders’ summit—originally slated for India this year but stalled by India-U.S. frictions over trade and related matters—were not disclosed.
In a Wednesday press briefing capping Mr. Trump’s visit, Ms. Takaichi detailed enhancements to the Japan-U.S. alliance’s deterrence posture and collaborative mechanisms with allies, encompassing trilateral formats like Japan-U.S.-South Korea and Japan-U.S.-Philippines, as well as the Quad. She invoked the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, a concept pioneered by the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as a guiding principle for these endeavors.
This outreach underscores Tokyo’s intent to deepen ties with New Delhi at a time of evolving geopolitical currents in the Indo-Pacific, where multilateral forums like the Quad serve as cornerstones for stability and prosperity.