PM Modi with Japan PM Sanae Takaichi (Image/PTI)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her landmark victory in the elections to Japan’s House of Representatives, expressing confidence that bilateral ties between India and Japan would further deepen under her leadership.Congratulating her on the outcome, PM Modi underlined the importance of India–Japan ties, which are anchored in a Special Strategic and Global Partnership and play a key role in regional and global stability.In a post on X, he wrote, “Congratulations Sanae Takaichi on your landmark victory in the elections to the House of Representatives. Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership plays a vital role in enhancing global peace, stability and prosperity. I am confident that under your able leadership, we will continue to take the India-Japan friendship to greater heights.” Takaichi secured a sweeping mandate in the snap lower house elections, consolidating her position just months after becoming Japan’s first woman prime minister. Her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), along with coalition partners is expected to command a strong two-thirds majority, giving her government a decisive edge to push its legislative agenda. Takaichi, 64, emerged as Japan’s prime minister in October after winning the leadership of the LDP, becoming the country’s first woman to hold the office.Also Read | Japan snap elections: PM Sanae Takaichi’s LDP secures majority in lower house – top developmentsKnown for her tough stance on defence, economic security and China, she has positioned herself as a strong advocate of closer cooperation with the United States and like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific region.Her victory marks a turnaround for the LDP after years of political turbulence marked by inflation, funding scandals and voter discontent. The decisive mandate is expected to give Takaichi greater authority to pursue policy reforms, including increased defence spending, economic stimulus measures and a more assertive foreign policy.
