Guwahati gears up to host Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi, after seven years of cancelled summit

Guwahati, June 18: Flyovers are getting a fresh coat of paint, roads are being spruced up and public spaces are undergoing a facelift as Guwahati prepares for what could become one of the most significant diplomatic events in Assam’s recent history — the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi from July 1.

If the visit goes ahead as scheduled, it will mark Takaichi’s first visit to India since becoming Prime Minister of Japan and the first India-Japan summit to be hosted in Guwahati, placing Assam firmly on the global diplomatic map.

The visit is expected to bring a delegation of more than 50 Japanese companies and business leaders, reinforcing Assam’s growing position as a gateway to Southeast Asia and a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy.

Discussions are expected to extend beyond traditional sectors such as infrastructure and connectivity, with semiconductors, advanced technology, electronics manufacturing and supply-chain resilience likely to feature prominently on the agenda. Officials believe the summit could unlock fresh opportunities in manufacturing, technology, clean energy and regional connectivity projects across the Northeast, while positioning Assam as an emerging destination for high-value investments.

Across the city, government departments have launched an extensive beautification drive. Major roads, flyovers and public spaces are being renovated ahead of the high-profile visit, reflecting the importance attached to the summit by both the Centre and the Assam government.

The visit carries a strong sense of unfinished history. In December 2019, Guwahati was scheduled to host a summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The event was cancelled following widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Nearly seven years later, the city is once again preparing to welcome a Japanese Prime Minister.

According to reports, Takaichi and Modi are expected to hold summit-level talks in Assam as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation under the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Discussions are likely to focus on investment, infrastructure, connectivity, critical minerals, energy security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The visit is also expected to bring a delegation of Japanese investors and business leaders, reinforcing Assam’s growing position as a gateway to Southeast Asia and a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy. Officials believe the summit could unlock fresh opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing, technology and regional connectivity projects across the Northeast.

For Assam, the significance extends beyond diplomacy. Hosting the summit in Guwahati would signal the Northeast’s emergence from the margins to the centre of India’s engagement with East and Southeast Asia — a transformation that successive governments have sought to achieve through the Act East policy.

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