[Provisional Translation]
（Reporter）
I am Noguchi, with TBS. Madame Prime Minister, you will be visiting India. When Prime Minister Modi visited Japan last August, Japan and India launched a bilateral Economic Security Initiative and confirmed cooperation in areas including critical minerals. What significance do you attach to this visit, and what outcomes do you hope to achieve?
In addition, business leaders and representatives of economic organizations will accompany you to India to attend the Japan-India Joint Economic Forum. What are your expectations for the Forum?
Furthermore, as China intensifies economic coercion and expands its maritime activities, how do you view India from the perspectives of Japan's economic and national security? Could you also share your thoughts on the views you intend to exchange with Prime Minister Modi, including on the early convening of the Quad Leaders' Summit?
(Prime Minister TAKAICHI)
I will be departing for India shortly. At a time when the international situation is becoming increasingly uncertain, cooperation with India, which shares fundamental values and strategic interests with Japan, is becoming more important than ever.
Through this visit, I hope to advance concrete cooperation with Prime Minister Modi in three key areas: deepening the Japan-India strategic partnership in light of the current international situation; promoting cooperation in economic security; and strengthening collaboration between businesses of our two countries in investment and innovation.
On the occasion of this visit, the Japan-India Joint Economic Forum will be held with the participation of representatives from more than 150 Japanese companies and business organizations. Working together with the private sector, I hope to broaden the scope of Japan-India cooperation and realize a strong economy.
India, along with Japan, is one of Asia's leading democracies and shares responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Against this backdrop, I look forward to having thorough discussions with Prime Minister Modi on efforts to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), including cooperation through the Quad framework.
Finally, as this visit is being made at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, I also hope it will provide an opportunity to further deepen the personal trust between us.
(Reporter)
Thank you. I would also like to ask about domestic affairs. This morning, Speaker Mori of the House of Representatives urged the normalization of Diet proceedings during a meeting with leaders of the ruling and opposition parties, calling on the ruling parties to make further efforts toward holding an intensive session of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives with your attendance, as requested by the opposition. Could you share your views on these developments?
(Prime Minister TAKAICHI)
How the Diet should be managed is a matter to be decided upon by the Diet itself, and I will therefore refrain from commenting as Prime Minister.
That said, whenever I have been requested by the Diet to attend its proceedings, I have done so and have answered questions sincerely. That policy remains unchanged, and I will continue to respond in the same manner.
Thank you very much.