By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The proposed visit of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to Guwahati for the India-Japan Annual Summit has been cancelled, with the high-level meeting now expected to be held in New Delhi from July 1 to 3, according to sources familiar with the developments.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was initially scheduled to host his Japanese counterpart in Assam’s capital as part of efforts to showcase the Northeast’s growing strategic and economic importance. However, officials indicated that logistical considerations and scheduling constraints have prompted a change in venue.
Sources said Takaichi’s travel schedule remains tightly packed due to domestic responsibilities, including the ongoing session of Japan’s Parliament, known as the Diet. Given the limited timeframe between her arrival in India and subsequent departure, conducting the summit in the national capital was considered more practical.
Officials also noted that shifting the summit to New Delhi would allow both countries to accommodate a broader range of engagements and discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The visit will mark Takaichi’s first official trip to India since assuming office. Apart from New Delhi, Guwahati had been among the locations proposed for hosting the summit and was offered to the Japanese side as part of the programme.
A high-level Japanese delegation, including representatives from more than 50 companies and organisations, is expected to accompany the Prime Minister. Among them are senior executives from major Japanese corporations, including automobile manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corporation.
The summit is expected to focus on expanding economic cooperation, strengthening supply chains, and enhancing strategic partnerships between the two countries. Several agreements are likely to be discussed in sectors such as semiconductors, renewable energy, critical minerals, defence manufacturing and automobiles.
Energy security is also expected to feature prominently in the talks. Japanese officials have previously expressed interest in supporting India’s efforts to strengthen its strategic petroleum reserves through initiatives such as the Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience (POWERR Asia) and other financing mechanisms.
The summit comes amid growing economic engagement between the two countries. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Japan in August 2025, Tokyo committed to facilitating private-sector investments worth 10 trillion yen in India over the next decade.
The relocation of the summit also recalls a similar development in 2019, when then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s planned visit to Guwahati was cancelled due to widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
Despite the venue change, officials said preparations for the India-Japan summit remain on track, with both sides expected to use the meeting to further deepen cooperation across trade, investment, energy and strategic sectors.