The anticipated summit-level meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is now expected to take place in New Delhi instead of Guwahati. Initially considered as the venue, logistical factors have led to a reconsideration of hosting the high-profile engagement in Assam. Takaichi is set to visit India from July 1 to 3 for the annual India-Japan summit, marking her first official trip to the country since assuming office.
Indications now suggest that the Japanese leader’s visit may be confined to the national capital due to her domestic commitments, limiting the duration of her overseas travel. Holding the summit in New Delhi is seen as a way to simplify scheduling and focus on a more streamlined bilateral agenda. The move to shift the summit location from Guwahati to New Delhi has garnered attention after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma mentioned discussions about organizing the leaders’ meeting in the state’s capital.
The possibility of hosting the summit in Guwahati had sparked interest, potentially making the Northeast the first region outside the traditional diplomatic circuit to host the annual summit. Earlier plans had suggested that Takaichi might be accompanied by a delegation of Japanese industry leaders exploring investment opportunities in the Northeast. The summit is expected to assess the progress of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, with a focus on trade, investment, infrastructure, economic security, energy, critical minerals, and resilient supply chains.
Regional and global geopolitical developments are likely to be key topics of discussion during the summit. The symbolic significance of holding the summit in Assam was noted, especially after a previous postponement in 2019 due to protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. While the final program has not been officially announced by New Delhi or Tokyo, preparations are reportedly centered on hosting the summit in the national capital.
