Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Takaichi at Rashtrapati Bhavan as the two leaders attended the ceremonial reception ahead of bilateral talks.

Marching contingents from the Army, Navy and Air Force, accompanied by a military band, presented a guard of honour to the Japanese prime minister.

Prime Minister Modi stood alongside Takaichi on the ceremonial platform as the official welcome ceremony took place at the presidential complex.

Takaichi is visiting India from July 1 to 3 at Prime Minister Modi's invitation to attend the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit aimed at boosting cooperation in trade, investment, defence and other key sectors.

Following the ceremonial welcome, Takaichi, accompanied by Modi, met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other Union Cabinet ministers.

Several Union ministers greeted the Japanese prime minister with folded hands, a gesture she warmly reciprocated before interacting with them.

The two prime ministers shook hands and posed for photographs after the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

After Takaichi's arrival in New Delhi on Wednesday, Modi welcomed her on social media, expressing confidence that their discussions would further strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

The India-Japan Annual Summit will focus on expanding bilateral cooperation while also covering regional and global issues of mutual interest, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.