Prime minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga have reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, as they reviewed multifaceted bilateral relations and exchanged views on recent global developments, including in Afghanistan. US President Joe Biden will host the Quad meeting.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during their meeting here on Thursday, the two prime ministers agreed to enhance bilateral security and defense cooperation in the field of defense equipment and technologies.
Prime Minister Modi thanked him for his personal commitment and leadership, both as Prime Minister and as Chief Cabinet Secretary, in enabling great progress in the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership over the years.
“The two prime ministers reviewed the multifaceted relationship between the two countries and exchanged views on recent global and regional developments, including in Afghanistan. They reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region,” the statement said. to be confirmed.”
The two Prime Ministers welcomed the growing economic partnership between the two countries.
“Progressing friendship with Japan,” the foreign ministry said in a tweet after the meeting.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sugawitter had a fruitful meeting in Washington DC. The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including ways to further accelerate trade and cultural ties,” the statement said.
“Discussed several issues: Indo-Pacific, regional development, supply chain resilience, trade, digital economy and P2P relations,” the MEA said in another tweet.
A special strategic and global partnership with Japan – firmly rooted in history and based on common values, it added.
They welcomed the launch of the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) between India, Japan and Australia earlier this year as a collaborative mechanism to enable a resilient, diverse and reliable supply chain, the statement said.
The two Prime Ministers expressed happiness on their first personal meeting. He warmly recalls his three telephone conversations since September 2020, when Mr. Suga took over as Prime Minister of Japan. Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Suga for his personal commitment and leadership, both as Prime Minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary, in enabling great progress in the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership over the years.
PM Modi congratulated Prime Minister Suga for successfully hosting the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games amid the global pandemic.
The two Prime Ministers reviewed the multifaceted relations between the two countries and exchanged views on recent global and regional developments, including in Afghanistan. They reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. They agreed to enhance bilateral security and defense cooperation in the field of defense equipment and technologies.
The two Prime Ministers welcomed the growing economic partnership between the two countries. They welcomed the launch of the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) between India, Japan and Australia earlier this year as a collaborative mechanism to enable a resilient, diverse and reliable supply chain. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the need to develop bilateral partnerships in manufacturing, MSMEs and skill development. Prime Minister Suga informed Prime Minister Modi that in order to implement the Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) Agreement, which was signed earlier this year, the Japanese side will conduct skill and language tests in India from early 2022.
The two Prime Ministers discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to combat it. He highlighted the growing importance of digital technologies and positively appraised progress in this regard in the India-Japan digital partnership, especially in start-ups. They exchanged views on further cooperation in various emerging technologies. Climate change issues and green energy transition and the possibility of Japanese cooperation with India’s National Hydrogen Energy Mission were also discussed.
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advance efforts to facilitate smooth and timely implementation of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project.
The two leaders also welcomed the progress in bilateral development projects in India’s Northeast region under the India-Japan Act East Forum and noted the possibilities of further enhancing such cooperation.
Prime Minister Suga expressed confidence that the strong momentum gained by the India-Japan partnership over the years will continue in Japan even under the new administration.
Prime Minister Modi conveyed that he looks forward to welcoming the next Prime Minister of Japan to India for the India-Japan Annual Summit in the near future.
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