Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday. This meeting marked their first face-to-face discussion since Takaichi took office in October 2025, following a previous telephone conversation.

During their talks, the leaders focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including innovation, defence, and talent mobility. Modi expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, "Had a productive meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan. We discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in areas such as innovation, defence, talent mobility and more."

Both leaders reaffirmed the significance of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which is rooted in shared values and a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. They emphasized the need to deepen ties for regional and global peace and prosperity.

The discussions also included enhancing trade relations, with Modi highlighting the importance of a strong India-Japan partnership for a better planet. The leaders acknowledged the progress made during the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit and called for swift implementation of agreements in areas such as defence, trade, technology, and infrastructure.

Additionally, Takaichi expressed support for the upcoming AI Summit to be hosted by India in February 2026. The two leaders agreed to maintain communication and meet again soon to further strengthen their collaboration. This meeting underscores the growing strategic alignment between India and Japan, particularly in clean energy and emerging technologies, as they aim for a target of JPY 10 trillion (approximately USD 68 billion) in private investment from Japan to India in the near future.