New Delhi: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was accorded a warm ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Thursday.
At the forecourt of the sprawling presidential complex, the Japanese prime minister stood on a ceremonial platform, with Indian Prime Minister Modi standing next to her during the ceremony.
Marching contingents drawn from the three services, followed by a band contingent, put out an impressive display to honour the visiting prime minister.
Takaichi is visiting the country at Modi's invitation from July 1 to 3 for the 16th India-Japan annual summit. This is the Japanese prime minister's first official visit to India.
Later in the day, the two prime ministers will hold bilateral talks at the Hyderabad House here to strengthen bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, defence and other key sectors.
Many of the Union ministers greeted her with folded hands, and she too returned the cordial gesture with folded hands.
Both PMs later shook hands and posed for a photo opportunity.
After the ceremonial reception, Prime Minister Takaichi, accompanied by Modi, met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his other Cabinet colleagues.
Takaichi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday on a three-day visit to India. The Japanese prime minister on Wednesday posted on X photos of her arrival, soon after landing in Delhi.
Sharing her post, Modi wrote, "A very warm welcome to India, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi".
"We are delighted to host you on your first visit to India, and I look forward to our wide-ranging discussions tomorrow that will further deepen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Through our joint efforts, we will continue to advance peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. @takaichi_sanae."
A very warm welcome to India, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. We are delighted to host you on your first visit to India and I look forward to our wide-ranging discussions tomorrow that will further deepen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Through our… https://t.co/TL9j03D8ed
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Wednesday said the visit marks an "important step" in taking forward the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan.
"The Summit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review and strengthen the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," the Ministry of External Affairs earlier said.