Johannesburg, South Africa, November 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on strengthening and accelerating bilateral cooperation across key sectors. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
In a post on X, PM Modi said the two leaders explored ways to add momentum to collaboration in areas such as innovation, defence, talent mobility, and trade. “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. We are also looking to enhance trade ties between our nations. A strong India-Japan partnership is vital for a better planet,” he wrote.
This marked the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since Sanae Takaichi assumed office in October 2025 as Japan’s first female Prime Minister. PM Modi had previously spoken with her on October 29, congratulating her on taking office and reaffirming the shared vision for advancing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Sharing details of that call, PM Modi wrote on X, “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.”
Earlier in the day, PM Modi also interacted with Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, during the ongoing G20 deliberations.
He additionally participated in a leaders’ meeting of IBSA, a forum representing India, Brazil, and South Africa and focused on amplifying the collective voice of the Global South. In a post, he highlighted the grouping’s importance: “During the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, President Lula of Brazil, President Ramaphosa of South Africa and I held a leaders’ meeting of IBSA, a forum which reflects our enduring commitment to strengthening the voice and aspirations of the Global South.”
Calling IBSA an important platform connecting three continents, three large democratic powers, and three major economies, PM Modi underscored the grouping’s shared values and aspirations. He noted that each IBSA member had held the G20 Presidency in the last three years, contributing to a human-centric global agenda.
PM Modi outlined several proposals to deepen IBSA cooperation, including the need for urgent institutional reform, unified action against terrorism without double standards, establishing an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance to leverage technology for development, and creating an IBSA Fund for Climate-Resilient Agriculture to support food security and sustainability.
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