Japan’s Cabinet Public Relations Officer recently underscored the cultural meaning of the traditional Indian greeting “Namaste” after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi exchanged the gesture with folded hands during her visit to India. In a post on X, the official explained that the gesture—known as Anjali Mudra, where palms are joined together in front of the chest—symbolizes the sentiment, “I show respect to you.” The post highlighted that “Namaste” is widely understood as a greeting that reflects humility, respect, and gratitude, while also encouraging a sense of inner groundedness for the person performing it. The Art of Living foundation similarly notes that the gesture fosters humility and mindfulness.

The Cabinet Public Relations Office also shared updates on Prime Minister Takaichi’s departure from India, including a photograph of a public display in Delhi featuring her image, and described her visit as highly meaningful. In another post, it said, “Leaving New Delhi behind, we are heading to Tokyo,” marking the conclusion of her India trip. India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the end of the visit, describing it as an important step in strengthening India-Japan relations. He noted that the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit had been highly productive, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to deepening cooperation for mutual growth, regional stability, and global prosperity.

An official MEA statement added that Prime Minister Takaichi was seen off by Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh after completing her engagements. It emphasized that the visit reinforced the strong strategic partnership between the two nations and their shared vision for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

During her stay, Takaichi also attended an informal dinner hosted by Prime Minister Modi, where both leaders discussed bilateral ties, global developments, and cultural connections in a relaxed and friendly setting, according to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides reportedly strengthened personal rapport and mutual trust during the interaction. The Indian Embassy in Japan called the visit a milestone moment, describing it as the beginning of a new phase in the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries. It also expressed gratitude to the Japanese leader and wished her a safe journey back to Tokyo.

The embassy further shared media coverage from Japanese newspapers highlighting the positive outcomes of the summit and the continued expansion of cooperation across multiple sectors. Prime Minister Takaichi’s three-day visit, held from July 1 to July 3 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, included participation in the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, where both leaders reviewed ongoing collaboration and exchanged views on key regional and international issues.