New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday, calling India-Japan relations “vital” for regional and global peace. Officials said the two leaders are expected to speak over the phone in the coming days and may meet this weekend on the sidelines of the upcoming ASEAN and East Asia Summits. Ms. Takaichi, 64, became Japan’s first woman Prime Minister after being elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). In a social media message, PM Modi expressed his eagerness to work closely with her to strengthen the India–Japan ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership,’ noting that the deepening ties are crucial for peace, stability, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific. The change in leadership comes weeks after PM Modi’s visit to Tokyo for the 15th India-Japan summit with then-PM Shigeru Ishiba, where agreements on Economic Security Partnership, critical mineral industry cooperation, and an upgraded Strategic Partnership were signed. Experts say Ms. Takaichi, a protege of former PM Shinzo Abe, is likely to continue India-Japan engagement, especially in the Indo-Pacific and through the Quad grouping. Ms. Takaichi is known for her hawkish stance on China and a more militaristic foreign policy. Analysts note she may play a bridging role between India and the U.S. to revive the stalled Quad Summit, which had been delayed due to trade and tariff tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are expected at the ASEAN meeting in Malaysia, and India hopes to finalize a date for the Quad Summit soon. New Delhi has also invited all leaders to an AI Summit in Delhi in February 2026, an initiative PM Modi had previously discussed with Mr. Ishiba in Tokyo. However, experts caution that Ms. Takaichi’s right-wing stance on immigration could affect India-Japan mobility and human resource exchange plans. The 2025 Action Plan for India-Japan Human Resource Exchange aimed at a two-way movement of 5,00,000 personnel over five years, including 50,000 skilled Indians to Japan, could face challenges due to Ms. Takaichi’s support from the more hard-line Ishin Party and her coalition differences with the moderate Komeito party. Despite potential hurdles, Ms. Takaichi’s election is expected to positively influence India-Japan strategic and economic ties.