PM Modi Calls Sanae Takaichi 'Choti Behen', Here's What Japan PM's Press Secretary Said

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reference to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as his "Choti Behen" (younger sister) during the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit symbolised the personal trust built between the two leaders, according to Toshihiro Kitamura, Press Secretary and Official Spokesperson to the Japanese Prime Minister. He said strengthening this personal rapport was one of the key objectives of Takaichi's maiden visit to India since assuming office.

'Choti Behen' remark reflected growing personal bond

Speaking to ANI, Toshihiro Kitamura said Prime Minister Takaichi's first visit to India after taking office in October last year was aimed at establishing a close relationship with Prime Minister Modi.

"This is the very first visit for Prime Minister Takaichi to India since her taking office last October. And I think that one of the objectives of this visit is to build a personal bond of trust between two leaders. So in this context, I think that this meeting was successful in constructing such a bond of trust between two leaders," Kitamura said.

His remarks came after Prime Minister Modi welcomed Takaichi during a joint press statement following the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit and described her as his "younger sister".

"I welcome Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi, my younger sister, to India for her first visit to the India-Japan Annual Summit. She is the first woman PM of Japan and also a visionary and popular leader. She is from Nara prefecture in Japan, with which India has Buddhist linkages," PM Modi said.

Takaichi reciprocates warmth

Prime Minister Takaichi echoed the sentiment during her remarks, saying the two leaders had agreed to take the India-Japan relationship forward "as brother and sister", underlining the warmth that characterised the summit and their discussions.

Summit focuses on emerging sectors, regional cooperation

The two Prime Ministers held extensive discussions on a range of issues, including economic security, artificial intelligence, clean energy, semiconductors, critical minerals, connectivity and regional cooperation.

The summit concluded with several agreements and joint statements aimed at expanding the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership across emerging sectors.

Prime Minister Takaichi is on a three-day official visit to India from July 1 to July 3 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. During the visit, the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

(With inputs from ANI)